Origin of Species Variorum

→ immigrants have been differently modified, though only in a small degree, in 1869 1872

islands may be used as an argument against my views; for it may be asked, how has it happened in the several 1859 1860 1861

islands may be used as an argument against my views; for it may be asked how has it happened in the several 1866

→ OMIT 1869 1872

for its inhabitants; 1859 1860 1861 1866

→ the species which inhabit 1869 1872

those inhabitants of 1859 1860 1861 1866

→ OMIT 1869 1872

(laying on one side for the moment the endemic species, which cannot be here fairly included, as we are considering how they have come to be modified since their arrival), 1859 1860 1861 1866

→ that they differ considerably 1869 1872

a considerable amount of difference 1859 1860 1861 1866

→ islands have 1869 1872

view of the islands having 1859 1860 1861 1866

→ island, though all proceeding from the same general source. 1869 1872

island. 1859 1860 1861 1866

→ first settled on one 1869 1872

settled on any one or more 1859 1860 1861 1866

→ best fitted for it 1869 1872

more perfectly 1859 1860 1861 1866

→ somewhat different species in the different islands, and 1869 1872

distinct plants in one island than in another, and it 1859 1860 1861 1866

→ throughout a continent and 1869 1872

and 1859 1860 1861 1866

the →immigrants have been differently modified, though only in a small degree, in islands situated within sight of each other, having the same geological nature, the same height, climate,

&c.,

&c.?

that

many

the

immigrants

should

have

been

differently

modified,

though

only

small

degree.

degree?

....

This long appeared to me a great difficulty: but it arises in chief part from the deeply-seated error of considering the physical conditions of a country as the most

important

important;

→OMIT whereas it

cannot,

cannot

I think,

....

be disputed that the nature of the other

inhabitants,

species

inhabitants

with which each has to compete, is

least as important, and generally a far more important element of success. Now if we look to →the species which inhabit the Galapagos Archipelago

which

and

are

found

likewise found

in other parts of the

world

world,

→OMIT we find →that they differ considerably in the several islands. This difference might indeed have been expected

the →islands have been stocked by occasional means of transport— a seed, for instance, of one plant having been brought to one island, and that of another

plant,

plant

to another →island, though all proceeding from the same general source.

Hence

Hence,

when in former times an immigrant →first settled on one of the islands, or when it subsequently spread from one

island

....

to another, it would undoubtedly be exposed to different conditions

of life

....

in the different islands, for it would have to compete with

different

sets

organisms;

plant

for instance, would find the

best-fitted

....

ground →best fitted for it occupied by →somewhat different species in the different islands, and would be exposed to the attacks of somewhat different enemies. If then it varied, natural selection would probably favour different varieties in the different islands. Some species, however, might spread and yet retain the same character throughout the group, just as we see

on continents

....

some species spreading widely →throughout a continent and remaining the same.

The really surprising fact in this case of the Galapagos Archipelago, and in a lesser degree in some