On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, Or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for LifeIn bringing together for the first time in one volume the two principal works of Charles Darwin, the editors of the Modern Library are in a sense fulfilling a part of the author's intention. The Descent of Man is, in truth, a sequel and amplification of The Origin of Species and belongs with it as corroborative scientific evidence of the theories of evolution set forth in the earlier work. Darwin's statement in The Origin of Species that "light would be thrown on the origin of man and his history" is justified by the wealth of data contained in The Descent of Man. To these facts are added in the section Selection in Relation to Sex a mass of observations in support of the hypothesis that sexual selection exercises a major influence in the evolution of species. Of the history of these books and their epoch-making consequences upon the scientific and religious thought of our time it would be superfluous to comment. They remain in the 20th century, in spite of a few minor scientific revisions, one of the greatest achievements in humanity's quest for enlightenment. |
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Page 10
... extremely rare under nature , but far from rare under cultivation ; and in this case we see that the treatment of the parent has affected a bud or offset , and not the ovules or pollen . But it is the opinion of most physiologists that ...
... extremely rare under nature , but far from rare under cultivation ; and in this case we see that the treatment of the parent has affected a bud or offset , and not the ovules or pollen . But it is the opinion of most physiologists that ...
Page 21
... extremely different races or species , would be very difficult . Sir J. Sebright expressly experi- mented for this object , and failed . The offspring from the first cross between two pure breeds is tolerably and sometimes ( as I have ...
... extremely different races or species , would be very difficult . Sir J. Sebright expressly experi- mented for this object , and failed . The offspring from the first cross between two pure breeds is tolerably and sometimes ( as I have ...
Page 35
... extremely alike the flowers ; how unlike the flowers of the heartsease are , and how alike the leaves ; how much the fruit of the different kinds of gooseberries differ in size , colour , shape , and hairiness , and yet the flowers ...
... extremely alike the flowers ; how unlike the flowers of the heartsease are , and how alike the leaves ; how much the fruit of the different kinds of gooseberries differ in size , colour , shape , and hairiness , and yet the flowers ...
Page 41
... extremely small differences , and it is in human nature to value any novelty , however slight , in one's own possession . Nor must the value which would formerly be set on any slight differences in the indivi- duals of the same species ...
... extremely small differences , and it is in human nature to value any novelty , however slight , in one's own possession . Nor must the value which would formerly be set on any slight differences in the indivi- duals of the same species ...
Page 49
... extremely perplexing : I refer to those genera which have sometimes been called " protean " or " polymorphic , " in which the species present an inordi- nate amount of variation ; and hardly two naturalists can agree which forms to rank ...
... extremely perplexing : I refer to those genera which have sometimes been called " protean " or " polymorphic , " in which the species present an inordi- nate amount of variation ; and hardly two naturalists can agree which forms to rank ...
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Common terms and phrases
adapted affinities allied species America analogous ancient appear archipelago become bees believe birds breeds cause cells chapter characters climate closely allied colour common continued crossed crustaceans degree difficulty distinct species divergence doubt eggs embryo existing exterminated extinct extremely facts favourable Fcap females fertilised fertility flowers formation forms fossil Fritz Müller Gärtner genera genus geological geological period Glacial period gradations greater number groups of species habits Hence hermaphrodites History hybrids important individuals inhabitants inherited insects instance instincts intercrossing intermediate larvæ less living male mammals manner migration modification modified descendants natural selection naturalists nearly nest offspring organic organisation parent perfect pigeons plants pollen Post 8vo present principle probably produced progenitor racters ranked reciprocal crosses remarked resemble rudimentary seeds sexual selection Silurian slight South America stamens sterility structure struggle successive supposed tion variability variations varieties vary Vols whole widely Woodcuts
Popular passages
Page 229 - If it could be proved that any part of the structure of any one species had been formed for the exclusive good of another species, it would annihilate my theory, for such could not have been produced through natural selection.
Page xv - ... 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 justly excites our admiration.
Page 81 - Several writers have misapprehended or objected to the term Natural Selection. Some have even imagined that natural selection induces variability, whereas it implies only the preservation of such variations as arise and are beneficial to the being under its conditions of life.
Page 208 - If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down.
Page 144 - The limbs divided into great branches, and these into lesser and lesser branches, were themselves once, when the tree was...
Page 64 - Hence, as more individuals are produced than can possibly survive, there must in every case be a struggle for existence, either one individual with another of the same species, or with the individuals of ^distinct species, or with the physical conditions of life. It is the doctrine of Malthus applied with manifold force to the whole animal and vegetable kingdoms; for in this case there can be no artificial increase of food, and no prudential restraint from marriage.
Page 595 - History of Rome. From the Earliest Times to the Establishment of the Empire. With the History of Literature and Art.
Page 73 - Battle within battle must be continually recurring with varying success; and yet in the...
Page 412 - Every species has come into existence coincident both in space and time with a pre-existing closely allied species.
Page 84 - ... useful to any being. She can act on every internal organ, on every shade of constitutional difference, on the whole machinery of life. Man selects only for his own...