Origin of Species Variorum

→ OMIT 1861 1866 1869 1872

I am convinced that 1859 1860

←Subtitle not present 1859 1860 1861 1869 1872 The Term, Struggle for Existence, used in a large sense. 1866

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

I should premise that I use the term Struggle for Existence in a large and metaphorical sense, including dependence of one being on another, and including (which is more important) not only the life of the individual, but success in leaving progeny.

variations, given to him by the hand of Nature. But Natural Selection, as we shall hereafter see, is a power incessantly ready for action, and is as immeasurably superior to

man's

mans

feeble efforts, as the works of Nature are to those of Art.

We will now discuss in a little more detail the struggle for existence. In my future work this subject

shall

will

be treated, as it well deserves, at

much

....

greater length. The elder

Candolle and Lyell have largely and philosophically shown that all organic beings are exposed to severe competition. In regard to plants, no one has treated this subject with more spirit and ability than W. Herbert, Dean of Manchester, evidently the result of his great horticultural knowledge. Nothing is easier than to admit in words the truth of the universal struggle for life, or more

difficult—

difficult—at

....

least I have found it

so—

so—than

than

....

constantly to bear this conclusion in mind. Yet unless it be thoroughly engrained in the mind, →OMIT the whole economy of nature, with every fact on distribution, rarity, abundance, extinction, and variation, will be dimly seen or quite misunderstood. We behold the face of nature bright with gladness, we often see superabundance of food; we do not

see

see,

or we

forget

forget,

that the birds which are idly singing round us mostly live on insects or seeds, and are thus constantly destroying life; or we forget how largely these songsters, or their eggs, or their nestlings, are destroyed by birds and beasts of prey; we do not always bear in mind,

that

that,

though food may be now superabundant, it is not so at all seasons of each recurring year. → ↑

The

Term

Term,

, Struggle

Struggle

for

Existence

Existence,

, used

used

in a large sense.

I should premise that I use this term in a large and metaphorical

sense

sense,

including dependence of one being on another, and including (which is more important)