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 72
... probably by birds . Hence , if certain in- sectivorous birds ( whose numbers are probably regulated by hawks or beasts of prey ) were to increase in Para- guay , the flies would decrease - then cattle and horses would became feral , and ...
... probably by birds . Hence , if certain in- sectivorous birds ( whose numbers are probably regulated by hawks or beasts of prey ) were to increase in Para- guay , the flies would decrease - then cattle and horses would became feral , and ...
Page 74
... probably come into play ; some one check or some few being generally the most potent , but all concur in determining the average number or even the existence of the species . In some cases it can be shown that widely - different checks ...
... probably come into play ; some one check or some few being generally the most potent , but all concur in determining the average number or even the existence of the species . In some cases it can be shown that widely - different checks ...
Page 76
... can dimly see why the com- petition should be most severe between allied forms , which fill nearly the same place in the economy of nature ; but probably in no one case could we precisely say. 76 CHAP . III . STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE .
... can dimly see why the com- petition should be most severe between allied forms , which fill nearly the same place in the economy of nature ; but probably in no one case could we precisely say. 76 CHAP . III . STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE .
Page 77
... probably in no one case could we precisely say why one species has been victorious over another in the great battle of life . A corollary of the highest importance may be deduced from the foregoing remarks , namely , that the structure ...
... probably in no one case could we precisely say why one species has been victorious over another in the great battle of life . A corollary of the highest importance may be deduced from the foregoing remarks , namely , that the structure ...
Page 78
... Probably in no single instance should we know what to do , so as to succeed . It will convince us of our ignorance on the mutual relations of all organic beings ; a conviction as necessary , as it seems to be difficult to acquire . All ...
... Probably in no single instance should we know what to do , so as to succeed . It will convince us of our ignorance on the mutual relations of all organic beings ; a conviction as necessary , as it seems to be difficult to acquire . All ...
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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