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 viii
... forms of life throughout the world - On the affinities of extinct species to each other and to living species - On the state of development of ancient forms On the succession of the same types within the same areas 312-345 Summary of ...
... forms of life throughout the world - On the affinities of extinct species to each other and to living species - On the state of development of ancient forms On the succession of the same types within the same areas 312-345 Summary of ...
Page 20
... forms in some degree intermediate between their parents ; and if we account for our several domestic races by this process , we must admit the former existence of the most extreme forms , as the Italian greyhound , bloodhound , bull ...
... forms in some degree intermediate between their parents ; and if we account for our several domestic races by this process , we must admit the former existence of the most extreme forms , as the Italian greyhound , bloodhound , bull ...
Page 46
... forms to rank as species and which as varieties . We may instance Rubus , Rosa , and Hieracium amongst plants , several genera of insects , and several genera of Brachiopod shells . In most polymorphic genera some of the species have ...
... forms to rank as species and which as varieties . We may instance Rubus , Rosa , and Hieracium amongst plants , several genera of insects , and several genera of Brachiopod shells . In most polymorphic genera some of the species have ...
Page 47
... forms which possess in some considerable degree the character of species , but which are so closely similar to some other forms , or are so closely linked to them by intermediate gradations , that naturalists do not like to rank them as ...
... forms which possess in some considerable degree the character of species , but which are so closely similar to some other forms , or are so closely linked to them by intermediate gradations , that naturalists do not like to rank them as ...
Page 48
... forms , Mr. Babington gives 251 species , whereas Mr. Bentham gives only 112 , -a difference of 139 doubtful forms ! Amongst animals which unite for each birth , and which are highly locomotive , doubtful forms , ranked by one zoologist ...
... forms , Mr. Babington gives 251 species , whereas Mr. Bentham gives only 112 , -a difference of 139 doubtful forms ! Amongst animals which unite for each birth , and which are highly locomotive , doubtful forms , ranked by one zoologist ...
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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