Origin of Species Variorum

→ tend 1866 1869 1872

constantly tend thus 1861

↑ 2 blocks not present in 1861 1866 1869 1872; present in 1859 1860

There has been much discussion whether recent forms are more highly developed than ancient. I will not here enter on this subject, for naturalists have not as yet defined to each other's satisfaction what is meant by high and low forms.

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

→ and I suppose that the answer must be admitted as true, though difficult of full proof. 1869

but in my judgment I can, after having read the discussions on this subject by Lyell, and Hooker's views in regard to plants, concur only to a limited extent. 1861

but in my judgment I cannot, after having read the discussions on this subject by Lyell, Bronn, and Hooker, look at this conclusion as fully proved, though highly probable. 1866

and it seems that this answer must be admitted as true, though difficult of proof. 1872

→ OMIT 1869 1872

or to the general belief that species in the course of time change, 1866

→ epoch. 1869

period, although no explanation can be given of this fact. 1866

epoch; and that certain land and fresh-water shells have remained nearly the same, from the time when, as far as is known, they first appeared. 1872

→ OMIT 1869 1872

progressed in organisation, 1866

→ progressed in organisation since even 1869 1872

since that most ancient of all epochs 1866

→ epoch; 1869 1872

formation of Canada; 1866

→ could be better fitted 1869 1872

better 1866

or highness. We have also seen

that

that,

as the specialisation of parts

~~and organs~~

and organs

is an advantage to each being, so natural selection will →tend to render the organisation of each being more specialised and perfect, and in this sense higher; not but that it may

~~and will~~

and will

leave many creatures with simple and unimproved structures fitted for simple conditions of life, and in some cases will even degrade or simplify the organisation, yet leaving such degraded beings better fitted for their new walks of life. ↑ ↑ In another and more general manner, new species

~~will~~

will

become superior to their predecessors; for they

~~will~~

will

have to beat in the struggle for life all the older

forms,

forms

with which they come into close competition. We may therefore conclude that if under a nearly similar climate the eocene inhabitants of the world could be put into competition with the existing inhabitants, the former would be beaten and exterminated by the latter, as would the secondary by the eocene, and the palæozoic by the secondary forms. So that by this fundamental test of victory in the battle for life, as well as by the standard of the specialisation of organs, modern forms

ought,

ought

on the theory of natural

selection,

selection

to stand higher than ancient forms. Is this the case? A large majority of palæontologists would

certainly

....

answer in the affirmative; →and I suppose that the answer must be admitted as true, though difficult of full proof.

It is no valid objection to this

conclusion

conclusion,

→OMIT that certain Brachiopods have been but slightly modified from an extremely remote geological →epoch. It is not an insuperable difficulty that Foraminifera have

not

not,

→OMIT as insisted on by Dr. Carpenter, →progressed in organisation since even the Laurentian →epoch; for some organisms would have to remain fitted for simple conditions of life, and what →could be better fitted for this end than these lowly organised Protozoa? It is no great difficulty that