Origin of Species Variorum

→ as has been remarked by Owen, quicker 1866 1869 1872

quicker 1861

→ Dr. Falconer, believes that it is chiefly insects which, 1866 1869 1872

believes that at the present day insects (as Bruce has likewise described in Abyssinia), 1861

→ in India, check 1866 1869 1872

are one chief check to 1861

→ increase; and this was Bruces conclusion with respect to the African elephant in Abyssinia. 1869

increase. 1861

increase; and this was Bruce's conclusion with respect to the African elephant in Abyssinia. 1866 1872

→ OMIT 1866 1869 1872

of different kinds, 1861

determine

determine,

→as has been remarked by Owen, quicker extermination from the greater amount of requisite food. Before man inhabited India or Africa, some cause must have checked the continued increase of the existing elephant. A highly capable

judge

judge,

→Dr. Falconer, believes that it is chiefly insects which, from incessantly harassing and weakening the

elephant,

elephant

→in India, check its →increase; and this was Bruces conclusion with respect to the African elephant in Abyssinia. It is certain that insects →OMIT and blood-sucking

bats,

bats

determine the existence of the larger naturalised quadrupeds in several parts of S.

America.

We see in many cases in the more recent tertiary formations, that rarity precedes extinction; and we know that this has been the progress of events with those animals which have been exterminated, either locally or wholly, through

man's

mans

agency. I may repeat what I published in 1845, namely, that to admit that species generally become rare before they become extinct— to feel no surprise at the rarity of a species, and yet to marvel greatly when

the species

ceases to exist, is much the same as to admit that sickness in the individual is the forerunner of death— to feel no surprise at sickness,

but

but,

when the sick man dies, to wonder and to suspect that he died by some

unknown

....

deed of violence.

The theory of natural selection is grounded on the belief that each new variety, and ultimately each new species, is produced and maintained by having some advantage over those with which it comes into

compe- tition;

competition;

and the consequent extinction of

less-favoured

the less-favoured

forms almost inevitably follows. It is the same with our domestic

productions:

productions;

when a new and slightly improved variety has been raised, it at first

generally supplants

supplants

the less improved varieties in the same neighbourhood;