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 28
... less than 20,000 pigeons were taken with the court . " The monarchs of Iran and Turan sent him some very rare birds ; " and , continues the courtly historian , " His Majesty by crossing the breeds , which method was never practised ...
... less than 20,000 pigeons were taken with the court . " The monarchs of Iran and Turan sent him some very rare birds ; " and , continues the courtly historian , " His Majesty by crossing the breeds , which method was never practised ...
Page 29
... less of the laws of inheritance than does the breeder , and knowing no more than he does of the intermediate links in the long lines of descent , yet admit that many of our domestic races have descended from the same parents- may they ...
... less of the laws of inheritance than does the breeder , and knowing no more than he does of the intermediate links in the long lines of descent , yet admit that many of our domestic races have descended from the same parents- may they ...
Page 35
... less civilised districts , where the breed has been less improved . There is reason to believe that King Charles's spaniel has been unconsciously modified to a large extent since the time of that monarch . Some highly competent ...
... less civilised districts , where the breed has been less improved . There is reason to believe that King Charles's spaniel has been unconsciously modified to a large extent since the time of that monarch . Some highly competent ...
Page 42
... less than others , yet the rarity or absence of distinct breeds of the cat , the donkey , peacock , goose , & c . , may be attributed in main part to selection not having been brought into play : in cats , from the difficulty in pairing ...
... less than others , yet the rarity or absence of distinct breeds of the cat , the donkey , peacock , goose , & c . , may be attributed in main part to selection not having been brought into play : in cats , from the difficulty in pairing ...
Page 52
... less distinct and more fluctuating forms . The term variety , again , in com- parison with mere individual differences , is also applied arbitrarily , and for mere convenience ' sake . Guided by theoretical considerations , I thought ...
... less distinct and more fluctuating forms . The term variety , again , in com- parison with mere individual differences , is also applied arbitrarily , and for mere convenience ' sake . Guided by theoretical considerations , I thought ...
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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