Origin of Species Variorum

→ another 1861 1866

any one or more 1859 1860

another and modified 1869 1872

→ between their past and present states; and these many links we could hardly ever 1861 1866

between their past or parent and present states; and these many links we could hardly ever 1859 1860

and owing to the imperfection of the geological record, we have no just right to 1869 1872

→ discover, owing to the imperfection of the geological record. 1859 1860 1861 1866

find so many links. 1869 1872

→ as 1861 1866 1869

by many naturalists as 1872

→ whether or not on the common view 1866

on the common view, whether or not 1859 1860 1861

whether or not 1869 1872

→ are 1859 1860 1861 1866

ought to be called 1869 1872

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

As long as most of the links between any two species are unknown, if any one link or intermediate variety be discovered, it will simply be classed as another and distinct species.

→ It is the dominant and widely 1866 1869 1872

Widely 1859 1860 1861

→ which vary most frequently and vary 1866 1869 1872

vary 1859 1860 1861

→ in any one formation less 1866 1869 1872

less 1859 1860 1861

→ has probably 1866 1869 1872

I am inclined to believe, has 1859 1860 1861

of →another

species,

species

if we were to examine

them

the

both

two ever

ever

so closely, unless we

~~likewise~~

likewise

possessed

most

many

of the intermediate

links;

links

→between their past and present states; and these many links we could hardly ever expect to →discover, owing to the imperfection of the geological record. If two or three, or even more linking forms were discovered, they would simply be ranked →as so many new species, more especially if found in different geological sub-stages, let their differences be ever so slight. Numerous existing doubtful forms could be named which are probably varieties; but who will pretend that in future ages so many fossil links will be discovered, that naturalists will be able to

decide,

decide

→whether or not on the common view these doubtful forms →are varieties? ↑ Only a small portion of the world has been

geologically

geological

explored. Only organic beings of certain classes can be preserved in a fossil condition, at least in any great number. Many species when once formed never undergo any further

change

change,

but become extinct without leaving modified descendants; and the periods, during which species have undergone modification, though long as measured by years, have probably been short in comparison with the periods during which they

~~have~~

have

retained the same form. →It is the dominant and widely ranging species →which vary most frequently and vary most, and varieties are often at first

local,—

local—

both causes rendering the discovery of intermediate links →in any one formation less likely. Local varieties will not spread into other and distant regions until they are considerably modified and

im-

....

proved;

improved;

and when they

have

spread,

and are

discovered in a geological formation, they

~~will~~

will

appear as if suddenly created there, and will be simply classed as new species. Most formations have

been,

been

intermittent in their accumulation; and their

duration,

duration

→has probably been shorter than the average