Origin of Species Variorum

→ find so many links. 1869 1872

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

→ as 1861 1866 1869

by many naturalists as 1872

→ whether or not 1869 1872

on the common view, whether or not 1859 1860 1861

whether or not on the common view 1866

→ ought to be called 1869 1872

are 1859 1860 1861 1866

↑ 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

→ in most cases separated 1861 1866 1869 1872

separated 1859 1860

→ of great length; for 1869 1872

for 1859 1860 1861 1866

→ as a general rule be 1869 1872

be 1859 1860

generally be 1861 1866

expect to →find so many links. 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 these doubtful forms →ought to be called varieties? ↑ Only a small portion of the world has been

geological

geologically

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;

and when they

spread,

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