The fact, as we have seen, that all past and present organic beings
constitute one grand natural system, with constitute one grand natural system, with 1859 1860 1861 1866 |
can be arranged within a few great classes, in 1869 1872 |
group group 1859 1860 1861 1866 | groups 1869 1872 |
subordinate to
group, group, 1859 1860 1861 1866 | groups, 1869 1872 |
and with
extinct extinct 1859 1860 1861 1866 | the extinct 1869 1872 |
groups often falling in between
recent recent 1859 1860 1861 1866 | the recent 1869 1872 |
groups, is intelligible on the theory of natural selection with its contingencies of extinction and divergence of character. On these same principles we see how it is, that the mutual affinities of the
species and genera species and genera 1859 1860 1861 1866 |
forms 1869 1872 |
within each class are so complex and circuitous. We see why certain characters are far more serviceable than others for classification;— why adaptive characters, though of paramount importance to the
being, being, 1859 1860 1861 1866 | beings, 1869 | beings; 1872 |
are of hardly any importance in classification; why characters derived from rudimentary parts, though of no service to the
being, being, 1859 1860 1861 1866 | beings, 1869 1872 |
are often of high classificatory value; and why embryological characters are
the the 1859 1860 1861 | often the 1866 1869 1872 |
most valuable of all. The real affinities of all organic
beings beings 1859 1860 1861 1866 | beings, 1869 1872 |
are are 1859 1860 1861 1866 |
in contradistinction to their adaptive resemblances, are 1869 1872 |
due to inheritance or community of descent. The
natural natural 1859 1860 1861 1866 | Natural 1869 1872 |
system system 1859 1860 1861 1866 | System 1869 1872 |
is a genealogical arrangement,
in which we have to discover the lines of descent in which we have to discover the lines of descent 1859 1860 1861 1866 |
with the acquired grades of dif- ference, marked 1869 |
with the acquired grades of difference, marked 1872 |
by the
most most 1859 1860 1861 1866 |
terms, varieties, species, genera, families, &c.; and we have to discover the lines of descent by the most 1869 1872 |
permanent
characters, characters, 1859 1860 1861 1866 | characters 1869 1872 |
however slight their however slight their 1859 1860 1861 1866 |
whatever they may be and of however slight 1869 1872 |
vital
importance importance 1859 1860 1861 1866 | importance. 1869 1872 |
may may 1859 1860 1861 1866 | may 1869 1872 |
be. be. 1859 1860 1861 1866 | be. 1869 1872 |
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