On the origin of species by means of natural selection ; or, The preservation of favored races in the struggle for lifeD. Appleton and Company, 1875 - 458 pages |
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Page xii
... young cuckoos ejecting their foster - brothers confirmed . On the cuckoo - like habits of the Molothrus . On fertile hybrid moths . The discussion on the fertility of hybrids not having been ac- quired through natural selection ...
... young cuckoos ejecting their foster - brothers confirmed . On the cuckoo - like habits of the Molothrus . On fertile hybrid moths . The discussion on the fertility of hybrids not having been ac- quired through natural selection ...
Page 6
... young of the same litter , and in seedlings from the same seed - capsule . At long intervals of time , out of millions of individuals reared in the same country and fed on nearly the same food , deviations of structure so strongly ...
... young of the same litter , and in seedlings from the same seed - capsule . At long intervals of time , out of millions of individuals reared in the same country and fed on nearly the same food , deviations of structure so strongly ...
Page 7
... young ; whereas carnivorous birds , with the rarest exceptions , hardly ever lay fertile eggs . Many exotic plants have pollen utterly worthless , in the same condition as in the most sterile hybrids . When , on the one hand , we see ...
... young ; whereas carnivorous birds , with the rarest exceptions , hardly ever lay fertile eggs . Many exotic plants have pollen utterly worthless , in the same condition as in the most sterile hybrids . When , on the one hand , we see ...
Page 41
... young naturalist commences the study of a group of organisms quite unknown to him , he is at first much perplexed in determining what differences to consider as specific , and what as varietal ; for he knows nothing of the amount and ...
... young naturalist commences the study of a group of organisms quite unknown to him , he is at first much perplexed in determining what differences to consider as specific , and what as varietal ; for he knows nothing of the amount and ...
Page 51
... young in the interval , and surviving till one hundred years old ; if this be so , after a period of from 740 to 750 ... young , and that nearly all the young have been enabled to breed . Their geometrical ratio of increase , the result ...
... young in the interval , and surviving till one hundred years old ; if this be so , after a period of from 740 to 750 ... young , and that nearly all the young have been enabled to breed . Their geometrical ratio of increase , the result ...
Common terms and phrases
adapted admit affinities allied species America analogous ancient appear beak become bees believe belonging birds breeds cause cells characters climate closely allied colour continued crossed crustaceans degree developed difficulty distinct species 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 Silurian slight South America stamens sterility structure struggle successive supposed theory tion variability variations varieties vary whilst whole wings young
Popular passages
Page 50 - I should premise that I use this term in a large and metaphorical sense, including dependence of one being on another, and including (which is more important) not only the life of the individual, but success in leaving progeny.
Page 63 - It has been said that I speak of natural selection as an active power or Deity; but who objects to an author speaking of the attraction of gravity as ruling the movements of the planets ? Every one knows what is meant and is implied by such metaphorical expressions; and they are almost necessary for brevity.
Page 65 - Can we wonder, then, that Nature's productions should be far " truer " in character than man's productions ; that they should be infinitely better adapted to the most complex conditions of life, and should plainly bear the stamp of far higher workmanship...
Page 143 - To suppose that the eye, with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest possible degree.
Page 3 - As many more individuals of each species are born than can possibly survive ; and as, consequently, there is a frequently recurring struggle for existence, it follows that any being, if it vary however slightly in any manner profitable to itself, under the complex and sometimes varying conditions of life, will have a better chance of surviving, and thus be naturally selected.
Page 56 - ... there was a large and extremely barren heath, which had never been touched by the hand of man ; but several hundred acres of exactly the same nature had been enclosed twenty-five years previously and planted with Scotch fir. The change in the native vegetation of the planted part of the heath was most remarkable, more than is generally seen in passing from one quite different soil to another ; not only the proportional numbers of the heath-plants were wholly changed, but twelve species of plants...
Page 49 - Nothing is easier than to admit in words the truth of the universal struggle for life, or more difficult — at least I have found it so — than constantly to bear this conclusion in mind. Yet unless it be thoroughly engrained in the mind, the whole economy of nature, with every fact on distribution, rarity, abundance, extinction, and variation, will be dimly seen or quite misunderstood.
Page 48 - ... we see beautiful adaptations everywhere and in every part of the organic world.
Page 69 - The result is not death to the unsuccessful competitor but few or no offspring. Sexual selection is, therefore, less rigorous than natural selection. Generally the most vigorous males, those which are best fitted for their places in nature, will leave most progeny. But in many cases victory depends not so much on general vigor as on having special weapons, confined to the male sex. A hornless stag or spurless cock would have a poor chance of leaving numerous offspring.
Page 412 - What limit can be put to this power, acting during long ages and rigidly scrutinising the whole constitution, structure, and habits of each creature, — favouring the good and rejecting the bad ? I can see no limit to this power, in slowly and beautifully adapting each form to the most complex relations of life.