→ by some breeders, 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869 |
in the one case, 1872 |
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→ As 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869 |
Ultimately, after the lapse of centuries, these sub-breeds would become converted into two well-established and distinct breeds. As 1872 |
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→ neglected, 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869 |
used for breeding, 1872 |
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→ (though it was a long time before I saw how), from 1861 1866 1869 1872 |
from 1859 1860 |
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selection of swifter horses
→by some breeders,
and of stronger ones
the differences would become greater, and would be noted as forming two
→As
the differences
greater, the inferior animals with intermediate characters, being neither very swift nor very strong,
have been
→neglected,
and will
Here, then, we see in
productions the action of what may be called the principle of divergence, causing differences, at first barely appreciable, steadily to increase, and the breeds to diverge in
both from each other and from their common parent. |
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But how, it may be asked, can any analogous principle apply in nature? I believe it can and does apply most
→(though it was a long time before I saw how), from
the simple circumstance that the more diversified the descendants from any one species become in structure, constitution, and habits, by so much will they be better enabled to seize on many and widely diversified places in the polity of nature, and so be enabled to increase in numbers. |
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We can clearly
this in the case of animals with simple habits. Take the case of a carnivorous quadruped, of which the number that can be supported in any country has long ago arrived at its full average. If its natural
of increase be allowed to act, it can succeed in increasing (the country not undergoing any change in
conditions) only by its varying descendants seizing on places at present occupied by other
some of them, for instance, being enabled to feed on new kinds of prey, either dead or alive; some inhabiting new stations, climbing trees, frequenting water, and some perhaps becoming less carnivorous. The
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