The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection: Or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life |
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Page 6
... shown in my work on ' Variation under Domestication , ' there are two factors : namely , the nature of the organism , and the nature of the conditions . The former seems to be much the more important ; for nearly similar variations ...
... shown in my work on ' Variation under Domestication , ' there are two factors : namely , the nature of the organism , and the nature of the conditions . The former seems to be much the more important ; for nearly similar variations ...
Page 11
... shown that our domestic varieties manifested a strong tendency to reversion , that is , to lose their acquired characters , whilst kept under the same conditions , and whilst kept in a considerable body , so that free intercrossing ...
... shown that our domestic varieties manifested a strong tendency to reversion , that is , to lose their acquired characters , whilst kept under the same conditions , and whilst kept in a considerable body , so that free intercrossing ...
Page 12
... shown that this statement is not correct ; but naturalists differ much in determining what characters are of generic value ; all such valuations being at present empirical . When it is explained now genera originate under nature , it ...
... shown that this statement is not correct ; but naturalists differ much in determining what characters are of generic value ; all such valuations being at present empirical . When it is explained now genera originate under nature , it ...
Page 17
... shown to an ornithologist , and he were told that they were wild birds , would certainly be ranked by him as well - defined species . Moreover , I do not believe that any ornithologist would in this case place the English carrier , the ...
... shown to an ornithologist , and he were told that they were wild birds , would certainly be ranked by him as well - defined species . Moreover , I do not believe that any ornithologist would in this case place the English carrier , the ...
Page 26
... shown how the cattle of England have increased in weight and in early maturity , compared with the stock formerly kept in this country . By comparing the accounts given in various old treatises of the former and present state of carrier ...
... shown how the cattle of England have increased in weight and in early maturity , compared with the stock formerly kept in this country . By comparing the accounts given in various old treatises of the former and present state of carrier ...
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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 continuous 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 oceanic islands offspring organisation organs parent peculiar perfect pigeon pistil pollen present preserved 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 64 - It may be said that natural selection is daily and hourly scrutinising, throughout the world, every variation, even the slightest; rejecting that which is bad, preserving and adding up all that is good; silently and insensibly working, whenever and wherever opportunity offers, at the improvement of each organic being in relation to its organic and inorganic conditions of life.
Page 48 - In these several senses, which pass into each other, I use for convenience' sake the general term of Struggle for Existence.
Page 63 - 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 61 - If such do occur, can we doubt (remembering that many more individuals are born than can possibly survive) that individuals having any advantage, however slight, over others, would have the best chance of surviving and of procreating their kind? On the other hand, we may feel sure that any variation in the least degree injurious would be rigidly destroyed.
Page 162 - 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 48 - 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 382 - What can be more curious than that the hand of a man, formed for grasping, that of a mole for digging, the leg of the horse, the paddle of the porpoise, and the wing of the bat, should all be constructed on the same pattern, and should include similar bones, in the same relative positions?
Page 146 - 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 61 - 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 xvii - In the distant future I see open fields for far more important researches. Psychology will be based on a new foundation, that of the necessary acquirement of each mental power and capacity by gradation. Light will be thrown on the origin of man and his history.