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charles darwin

On the Origin of Species

First published 1859 · sixth edition (1872), as corrected by Darwin in 1876
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contents

An Historical Sketch of the Progress of Opinion on the Origin of Species
“But with regard to the material world, we can at least go so far as this—we can perceive that events are brought about not by insulated…
Introduction
When on board H.M.S.’ Beagle,’ as naturalist, I was much struck with certain facts in the distribution of the organic beings inhabiting…
i
Variation under Domestication
Causes of Variability—Effects of Habit and the use or disuse of Parts—Correlated Variation—Inheritance—Character of Domestic…
ii
Variation under Nature
Variability—Individual differences—Doubtful species—Wide ranging, much diffused, and common species, vary most—Species of the larger genera…
iii
Struggle for Existence
Its bearing on natural selection—The term used in a wide sense—Geometrical ratio of increase—Rapid increase of naturalised animals and…
iv
Natural Selection; or the Survival of the Fittest
Natural Selection—its power compared with man’s selection—its power on characters of trifling importance—its power at all ages and on both…
v
Laws of Variation
Effects of changed conditions—Use and disuse, combined with natural selection; organs of flight and of vision—Acclimatisation—Correlated…
vi
Difficulties of the Theory
Difficulties of the theory of descent with modification—Absence or rarity of transitional varieties—Transitions in habits of…
vii
Miscellaneous Objections to the Theory of Natural Selection
Longevity—Modifications not necessarily simultaneous—Modifications apparently of no direct service—Progressive development—Characters of…
viii
Instinct
Instincts comparable with habits, but different in their origin—Instincts graduated—Aphides and ants—Instincts variable—Domestic instincts,…
ix
Hybridism
Distinction between the sterility of first crosses and of hybrids—Sterility various in degree, not universal, affected by close…
x
On the Imperfection of the Geological Record
On the absence of intermediate varieties at the present day—On the nature of extinct intermediate varieties; on their number—On the lapse…
xi
On the Geological Succession of Organic Beings
On the slow and successive appearance of new species—On their different rates of change—Species once lost do not reappear—Groups of species…
xii
Geographical Distribution
Present distribution cannot be accounted for by differences in physical conditions—Importance of barriers—Affinity of the productions of…
xiii
Geographical Distribution—continued
Distribution of fresh-water productions—On the inhabitants of oceanic islands—Absence of Batrachians and of terrestrial Mammals—On the…
xiv
Mutual Affinities of Organic Beings: Morphology: Embryology: Rudimentary Organs
Classification, groups subordinate to groups—Natural system—Rules and difficulties in classification, explained on the theory of descent…
xv
Recapitulation and Conclusion
Recapitulation of the objections to the theory of Natural Selection—Recapitulation of the general and special circumstances in its…
Glossary of the Principal Scientific Terms Used in the Present Volume
I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. W. S. Dallas for this Glossary, which has been given because several readers have complained to me…