On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection: Or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life"In considering the Origin of Species, it is quite conceivable that a naturalist, reflecting on the mutual affinities of organic beings, on their embryological relations, their geographical distribution, geological succession, and other such facts, might come to the conclusion that each species had not been independently created, but had descended, like varieties, from other species. Nevertheless, such a conclusion, even if well founded, would be unsatisfactory, until it could be shown how the innumerable species inhabiting this world have been modified, so as to acquire that perfection of structure and coadaptation which most justly excites our admiration. Naturalists continually refer to external conditions, such as climate, food, & c, as the only possible cause of variation. In one very limited sense, as we shall hereafter see, this may be true; but it is preposterous to attribute to mere external conditions, the structure, for instance, of the woodpecker, with its feet, tail, beak, and tongue, so admirably adapted to catch insects under the bark of trees. In the case of the misseltoe, which draws its nourishment from certain trees, which has seeds that must be transported by certain birds, and which has flowers with separate sexes absolutely requiring the agency of certain insects to bring pollen from one flower to the other, it is equally preposterous to account for the structure of this parasite, with its relations to several distinct organic beings, by the effects of external conditions, or of habit, or of the volition of the plant itself"--Introduction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) |
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Page 23
... extinct in the wild state . But birds breeding on preci- pices , and good fliers , are unlikely to be exterminated ; and the common rock - pigeon , which has the same habits with the domestic breeds , has not been exterminated even on ...
... extinct in the wild state . But birds breeding on preci- pices , and good fliers , are unlikely to be exterminated ; and the common rock - pigeon , which has the same habits with the domestic breeds , has not been exterminated even on ...
Page 24
... further , that these very species have since all become extinct or un- known . So many strange contingencies seem to me improbable in the highest degree . Some facts in regard to the colouring of pigeons well. 24 CHAP . I. DOMESTIC PIGEONS ...
... further , that these very species have since all become extinct or un- known . So many strange contingencies seem to me improbable in the highest degree . Some facts in regard to the colouring of pigeons well. 24 CHAP . I. DOMESTIC PIGEONS ...
Page 52
... extinct , or they may endure as varieties for very long periods , as has been shown to be the case by Mr. Wollaston with the varie- ties of certain fossil land - shells in Madeira . If a variety were to flourish so as to exceed in ...
... extinct , or they may endure as varieties for very long periods , as has been shown to be the case by Mr. Wollaston with the varie- ties of certain fossil land - shells in Madeira . If a variety were to flourish so as to exceed in ...
Page 66
... extinct . It would suffice to keep up the full number of a tree , which lived on an average for a thousand years , if a single seed were pro- duced once in a thousand years , supposing that this seed were never destroyed , and could be ...
... extinct . It would suffice to keep up the full number of a tree , which lived on an average for a thousand years , if a single seed were pro- duced once in a thousand years , supposing that this seed were never destroyed , and could be ...
Page 73
... extinction of an organic being ; and as we do not see the cause , we invoke cataclysms to desolate the world , or invent laws on the duration of the forms of life ! I am tempted ... extinct or very. CHAP . III . 73 MUTUAL CHECKS TO INCREASE .
... extinction of an organic being ; and as we do not see the cause , we invoke cataclysms to desolate the world , or invent laws on the duration of the forms of life ! I am tempted ... extinct or very. CHAP . III . 73 MUTUAL CHECKS TO INCREASE .
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Common terms and phrases
adapted affinities allied species America analogous ancient animals become bees believe birds breeds cause cells chapter characters cirripedes climate closely allied colour continuous crossed crustaceans degree difficulty distinct species divergence domestic doubt embryo Europe existing exterminated extinct extremely facts favourable Fcap fertility flowers formations forms fossil Gärtner genera genus geological geological period Glacial period greater number groups of species habits Hence hermaphrodites History hybrids hybrids produced important individuals inhabitants inherited insects instance instincts intercrossing intermediate land larvæ less living male mammals manner migration modification modified descendants natural selection naturalists nearly nest offspring perfect pigeons plants pollen Portrait Post 8vo present principle probably produced progenitor racter ranked reciprocal crosses remarked resemble rudimentary organs Second Edition seeds sexual selection Silurian slight South America sterility structure struggle successive supposed theory Third Edition tion variability variations varieties vary Vols widely Woodcuts