Origin of Species Variorum

→ for 1859 1860 1861 1866

under domestication for a very long period; for 1869

under domestication for a very long period; nor do we know that it ever ceases, for 1872

→ produce variability; 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

caused by man; 1872

→ variability. 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

it to vary. 1872

→ to him at the time 1861

to him at the time, 1859 1860

to him 1866

or pleasing to him 1869 1872

→ uneducated 1859 1860 1861 1866

by an educated 1869 1872

much difficulty in ascertaining how

largely

much modification

our domestic productions have

been modified;

undergone;

but we may safely infer that the amount has been large, and that modifications can be inherited for long periods. As long as the conditions of life remain the same, we have reason to believe that a modification, which has already been inherited for many generations, may continue to be inherited for an almost infinite number of generations. On the other

hand,

hand

we have evidence that

variability

variability,

when it has once come into play, does not

~~wholly~~

wholly

cease

cease;

→for new varieties are still occasionally produced by our

oldest

most anciently

domesticated productions.

Variability is

Man does

not actually →produce variability; he only unintentionally exposes organic beings to new conditions of life, and then nature acts on the

organisation

organisation,

and causes →variability. But man can and does select the variations given to him by nature, and thus

accumulates

accumulate

them in any desired manner. He thus adapts animals and plants for his own benefit or pleasure. He may do this methodically, or he may do it unconsciously by preserving the individuals most useful →to him at the time without any

intention

thought

of altering the breed. It is certain that he can largely influence the character of a breed by selecting, in each successive generation, individual differences so slight as to be

quite

....

inappreciable

except

by an

→uneducated eye. This

unconscious process

process

of selection has been the great agency in the

formation

production

of the most distinct and useful domestic breeds. That many