The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection: Or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life |
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adapted admit affinities allied species America analogous ancient appear Asa Gray beak become bees believe belonging birds breeds cause cells characters climate closely allied colour continued crossed crustaceans degree developed difficulty distinct species divergence doubt effects eggs embryo existing extinct extremely facts favourable fertilised fertility flowers formations formerly forms fossil Fritz Müller genera genus geological geological period Glacial period gradations greater number groups of species habits Hence hybrids important individuals inhabitants inherited insects instance instincts intercrossing intermediate kind lamellæ larvæ less living male mammals manner marsupials migration modified descendants natural selection naturalists nearly nest occasionally occur oceanic islands offspring organisation organs parent peculiar perfect pigeon pistil pollen present principle probably produced quadrupeds ranked reciprocal crosses remarked reproductive resemblance rudimentary seeds sexual selection slight South America stamens sterility structure struggle successive supposed tend theory tion variability variations varieties vary whilst whole wings young
Popular passages
Page 50 - 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 for marriage.
Page 51 - There is no exception to the rule that every organic being naturally increases at so high a rate, that, if not destroyed, the earth would soon be covered by the progeny of a single pair.
Page 160 - 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 1 - Beagle," as naturalist, I was much struck with certain facts in the distribution of the inhabitants of South America, and in the geological relations of the present to the past inhabitants of that continent.
Page 144 - 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 57 - Newman, who has long attended to the habits of humble-bees, believes that "more than two-thirds of them are thus destroyed all over England.
Page 63 - 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 423 - Nevertheless all living things have much in common, in their chemical composition, their cellular structure, their laws of growth, and their liability to injurious influences.
Page xvii - NATURE, we learn from the past history of our globe that she has advanced with slow and stately steps, guided by the archetypal light amidst the wreck...
Page 426 - Authors of the highest eminence seem to be fully satisfied with the view that each species has been independently created. To my mind it accords better with what we know of the laws impressed on matter by the Creator, that the production and extinction of the past and present inhabitants of the world should have been due to secondary causes, like those determining the birth and death of the individual.