On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, Or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life

Front Cover
John Murray, 1866 - 593 pages
In 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.
 

Contents

I
xv
II
xxi
III
38
IV
62
V
82
VI
147
VII
189
VIII
238
IX
282
X
329
XI
366
XII
405
XIII
447
XIV
476
XV
533

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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...

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