Origin of Species Variorum

→ But we may confidently believe that many modifications, wholly due to 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

In many other cases, modifi- cations are probably the direct result of 1872

→ growth, and at first in no way advantageous to a species, have been subsequently taken advantage of by the still further modified descendants of this species. 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

variation or of growth, independently of any good having been thus gained. 1872

↑ 1 blocks not present in 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869; present in 1872

But even such structures have often, as we may feel assured, been subsequently taken advantage of, and still further modified, for the good of species under new conditions of life.

→ natural selection,—a power which acts solely by the preservation of profitable variations in the struggle for life. 1866

natural selection,— a power which acts solely by the preservation of profitable variations in the struggle for life. 1859 1860 1861

natural selection,—a power which acts solely through the survival of the best-fitted individuals in the struggle for life. 1869

means of natural selection. 1872

→ Natural selection in 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

In 1872

→ must act chiefly 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

natural selection acts 1872

→ one with another, 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

OMIT 1872

→ will produce perfection, or strength 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

leads to success 1872

→ according to 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

in accordance with 1872

→ OMIT 1866 1869 1872

as we see they do yield, 1859 1860 1861

by means of natural selection. →But we may confidently believe that many modifications, wholly due to the laws of →growth, and at first in no way advantageous to a species, have been subsequently taken advantage of by the still further modified descendants of this species. ↑ We may, also, believe that a part formerly of high importance has

frequently

often

been retained (as the tail of an aquatic animal by its terrestrial descendants), though it has become of such small importance that it could not, in its present state, have been acquired by →natural selection,—a power which acts solely by the preservation of profitable variations in the struggle for life.

Natural selection

can

will

produce nothing in one species for the exclusive good or injury of another; though it may well produce parts, organs, and excretions highly useful or even indispensable, or

again highly

highly

injurious to another species, but in all cases at the same time useful to the

possessor.

owner.

→Natural selection in each well-stocked

country,

country

→must act chiefly through the competition of the

inhabitants,

inhabitants

→one with another, and consequently →will produce perfection, or strength in the battle for life, only →according to the standard of that

particular country.

country.

Hence the inhabitants of one country, generally the smaller one,

will

....

often

yield,

yield

→OMIT to the inhabitants of another and generally

the larger

larger

country. For in the larger country there will have existed more

individuals

individuals,

and more diversified forms, and the

com- petition

competition

will have been severer, and thus the standard of perfection will have been rendered higher. Natural selection will not necessarily

lead to

produce

absolute perfection; nor, as far as we can judge by our limited faculties, can absolute perfection be everywhere

predicated.

found.

On the theory of natural selection we can clearly understand the full meaning of that old canon in natural history, "Natura non facit saltum." This canon, if we