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 27
... reasons , taken together , I can feel no doubt that all our domestic breeds have descended from the Co- lumba livia with its geographical sub - species . In favour of this view , I may add , firstly , that C. livia , or the rock ...
... reasons , taken together , I can feel no doubt that all our domestic breeds have descended from the Co- lumba livia with its geographical sub - species . In favour of this view , I may add , firstly , that C. livia , or the rock ...
Page 35
... 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 anthorities are convinced that the setter is directly de- rived from the spaniel ...
... 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 anthorities are convinced that the setter is directly de- rived from the spaniel ...
Page 47
... reason to believe that many of these doubtful and closely - allied forms have permanently retained their characters in their own country for a long time ; for as long , as far as we know , as have good and true species . Practi- cally ...
... reason to believe that many of these doubtful and closely - allied forms have permanently retained their characters in their own country for a long time ; for as long , as far as we know , as have good and true species . Practi- cally ...
Page 55
... reason why more varieties should occur in a group having many species , than in one having few . To test the truth of this anticipation I have arranged the plants of twelve countries , and the coleopterous insects of two districts ...
... reason why more varieties should occur in a group having many species , than in one having few . To test the truth of this anticipation I have arranged the plants of twelve countries , and the coleopterous insects of two districts ...
Page 56
... reason to believe the process of manufacturing new species to be a slow one . And this certainly is the case , if varieties be looked at as inci- pient species ; for my tables clearly show as a general rule that , wherever many species ...
... reason to believe the process of manufacturing new species to be a slow one . And this certainly is the case , if varieties be looked at as inci- pient species ; for my tables clearly show as a general rule that , wherever many species ...
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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