The Origin of SpeciesIntroduction by Edward J. Larson Perhaps the most readable and accessible of the great works of scientific inquiry, The Origin of Species sold out its first printing on the very day it was published in 1859. Theologians quickly labeled Charles Darwin the most dangerous man in England and, as the Saturday Review noted, the uproar over the book quickly “passed beyond the bounds of the study and lecture-room into the drawing-room and the public street.” Based largely on Darwin’s experience as a naturalist while on a five-year voyage aboard H. M. S. Beagle, The Origin of Species set forth a theory of evolution and natural selection that challenged contemporary beliefs about divine providence and the immutability of species. This Modern Library edition includes a Foreword by the Pulitzer Prize–winning science historian Edward J. Larson, an introductory historical sketch, and a glossary Darwin later added to the original text. |
Contents
3 | |
9 | |
Variation Under Nature | 46 |
Struggle for Existence | 62 |
Natural Selection | 81 |
Laws of Variation | 133 |
Difficulties on Theory | 171 |
Instinct | 206 |
On the Imperfection of the Geological Record | 274 |
On the Geological Succession of Organic Beings | 306 |
Geographical Distribution | 339 |
Geographical Distribution continued | 375 |
Morphology Embryology | 402 |
Recapitulation and Conclusion | 448 |
Glossary | 479 |
Hybridism | 242 |
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Common terms and phrases
accumulated adapted affinities allied species America amount ancient animals archipelago become bees believe birds breeds cause cells characters cirripedes climate closely allied colour continuous crossed crustaceans degree difficulty distinct species domestic doubt eggs embryo Europe existing extinct extremely facts favourable fertility flowers formation forms fossil Gärtner genera genus geological geological period Glacial period gradations greater number groups of species habits Hence hybrids hybrids produced important individuals inhabitants inherited insects instance instincts intercrossing intermediate land larvae less living male mammals manner Marsupials migration modification modified descendants natural selection naturalists nearly nest oceanic islands offspring organisation organs palaeozoic perfect pigeons pistil plants pollen principle probably produced progenitor quadrupeds ranked reciprocal crosses remarked resemblance rudimentary seeds sexual selection Silurian slight South America sterility structure struggle successive suppose swimbladder tend theory tion trees variability variation varieties vary whole widely wings