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 34
... important . Thus , a man who intends keeping pointers naturally tries to get as good dogs as he can , and afterwards breeds from his own best dogs , but he has no wish or expectation of Nevertheless I can- permanently altering the breed ...
... important . Thus , a man who intends keeping pointers naturally tries to get as good dogs as he can , and afterwards breeds from his own best dogs , but he has no wish or expectation of Nevertheless I can- permanently altering the breed ...
Page 38
... important part which selection by man has played , it becomes at once obvious , how it is that our domestic races show adaptation in their structure or in their habits to man's wants or fancies . We can , I think , further understand ...
... important part which selection by man has played , it becomes at once obvious , how it is that our domestic races show adaptation in their structure or in their habits to man's wants or fancies . We can , I think , further understand ...
Page 41
... importance to success . On this principle Marshall has remarked , with respect to the sheep of parts of Yorkshire ... important point of all , is , that the animal or plant should be so highly useful to man , or so much valued by him ...
... importance to success . On this principle Marshall has remarked , with respect to the sheep of parts of Yorkshire ... important point of all , is , that the animal or plant should be so highly useful to man , or so much valued by him ...
Page 42
... important element of success in the formation of new races , -at least , in a country which is already stocked with other races . In this respect enclosure of the land plays a part . Wandering savages or the inhabitants of open plains ...
... important element of success in the formation of new races , -at least , in a country which is already stocked with other races . In this respect enclosure of the land plays a part . Wandering savages or the inhabitants of open plains ...
Page 43
... importance as causing variability . I do not believe that variability is an inherent and necessary contingency , under ... important part in the origin of our domestic productions . When in any country several domestic breeds have once ...
... importance as causing variability . I do not believe that variability is an inherent and necessary contingency , under ... important part in the origin of our domestic productions . When in any country several domestic breeds have once ...
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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