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→ though ranked as distinct species, being closely related, 1859 1860 1861 1866
being closely related, though ranked as distinct species, 1869 1872
→ two 1859 1860 1861
in any two 1866 1869 1872
→ compared with Living Forms. — 1861
Forms .— 1859 1860
compared with Living Forms. 1866
compared with Living Forms. 1869
compared with Living Forms . 1872
→ constantly tend thus 1861
tend 1866 1869 1872
note how little the specific forms of the inhabitants of the sea have been affected.
On the theory of descent, the full meaning of the
fact of
fact of
fossil remains from closely consecutive
formations
formations,
→though ranked as distinct species, being closely related, is obvious. As the accumulation of each formation has often been interrupted, and as long blank intervals have intervened between successive formations, we ought not to expect to find, as I attempted to show in the last chapter, in any one or →two
formations,
formations
all the intermediate varieties between the species which appeared at the commencement and close of these
periods:
periods;
but we ought to find after intervals, very long as measured by years, but only moderately long as measured geologically, closely allied forms, or, as they have been called by some authors, representative species; and these
assuredly we
we assuredly
do find. We find, in short, such evidence of the slow and scarcely sensible
mutations
mutation
of specific forms, as we have
the
a just
right to
expect.
expect
to
to
find.
find.
On
On
the
the
state
State
State
of
of
Development
Development
of
of
Ancient
Ancient
→ compared with Living Forms. —
We have seen in the fourth chapter that the degree of differentiation and specialisation of the parts
in
of
all
all
organic beings, when
arrived at
come to
maturity, is the best standard, as yet suggested, of their degree of perfection or highness. We have also seen
that,
that
as the specialisation of parts
and organs
and organs
is an advantage to each being, so natural selection will →constantly tend thus to render the organisation of each being more specialised and perfect, and in this sense higher; not but that it may
and will
and will
leave many creatures with simple and unimproved structures fitted for simple conditions of life, and in some cases will even degrade or simplify the organisation, yet leaving such degraded beings better fitted for their new walks of life.