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 55
... insects of two districts , into two nearly equal masses , the species of the larger genera on one side , and those of the smaller genera on the other side , and it has invariably proved to be the case that a larger proportion of the ...
... insects of two districts , into two nearly equal masses , the species of the larger genera on one side , and those of the smaller genera on the other side , and it has invariably proved to be the case that a larger proportion of the ...
Page 57
... insects , that in large genera the amount of difference between the species is often exceedingly small . I have endeavoured to test this numerically by averages , and , as far as my imperfect results go , they confirm the view . I have ...
... insects , that in large genera the amount of difference between the species is often exceedingly small . I have endeavoured to test this numerically by averages , and , as far as my imperfect results go , they confirm the view . I have ...
Page 62
... insects or seeds , and are thus constantly destroying life ; or we forget how largely these songsters , or their eggs , or their nestlings , are destroyed by birds and beasts of prey ; we do not always bear in mind , that though food ...
... insects or seeds , and are thus constantly destroying life ; or we forget how largely these songsters , or their eggs , or their nestlings , are destroyed by birds and beasts of prey ; we do not always bear in mind , that though food ...
Page 67
... insects . If turf which has long been mown , and the case would be the same with turf closely browsed by quadrupeds , be let to grow , the more vigorous plants gradually kill the less vigorous , though fully grown ,. CHAP . III . 67 ...
... insects . If turf which has long been mown , and the case would be the same with turf closely browsed by quadrupeds , be let to grow , the more vigorous plants gradually kill the less vigorous , though fully grown ,. CHAP . III . 67 ...
Page 72
... insects determine the existence of cattle . Perhaps Paraguay offers the most curious instance of this ; for here neither cattle nor horses nor dogs have ever run wild , though they swarm southward and northward in a feral state ; and ...
... insects determine the existence of cattle . Perhaps Paraguay offers the most curious instance of this ; for here neither cattle nor horses nor dogs have ever run wild , though they swarm southward and northward in a feral state ; and ...
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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