Origin of Species Variorum

→ variation or of growth, independently of any good having been thus gained. 1872

growth, and at first in no way advantageous to a species, have been subsequently taken advantage of by the still further modified descendants of this species. 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

→ means of natural selection. 1872

natural selection,— a power which acts solely by the preservation of profitable variations in the struggle for life. 1859 1860 1861

natural selection,—a power which acts solely by the preservation of profitable variations in the struggle for life. 1866

natural selection,—a power which acts solely through the survival of the best-fitted individuals in the struggle for life. 1869

→ In 1872

Natural selection in 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

→ natural selection acts 1872

must act chiefly 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

→ OMIT 1872

one with another, 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

→ leads to success 1872

will produce perfection, or strength 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

→ in accordance with 1872

according to 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

→ OMIT 1866 1869 1872

as we see they do yield, 1859 1860 1861

→ whether known or unknown, it must on this 1872

it must by my 1859 1860 1861

whether known or not yet known, it must by my 1866 1869

the laws of →variation or of growth, independently of any good having been thus gained. But even such structures have often, as we may feel assured, been subsequently taken advantage of, and still further modified, for the good of species under new conditions of life. We may, also, believe that a part formerly of high importance has

often

frequently

been retained (as the tail of an aquatic animal by its terrestrial descendants), though it has become of such small importance that it could not, in its present state, have been acquired by →means of natural selection.

Natural selection

will

can

produce nothing in one species for the exclusive good or injury of another; though it may well produce parts, organs, and excretions highly useful or even indispensable, or

highly

again highly

injurious to another species, but in all cases at the same time useful to the

owner.

possessor.

→In each well-stocked

country,

country

→natural selection acts through the competition of the

inhabitants

inhabitants,

→OMIT and consequently →leads to success in the battle for life, only →in accordance with the standard of that

country.

particular country.

Hence the inhabitants of one country, generally the smaller one,

will

....

often

yield,

yield

→OMIT to the inhabitants of another and generally

larger

the larger

country. For in the larger country there will have existed more

individuals,

individuals

and more diversified forms, and the

com- petition

competition

will have been severer, and thus the standard of perfection will have been rendered higher. Natural selection will not necessarily

produce

lead to

absolute perfection; nor, as far as we can judge by our limited faculties, can absolute perfection be everywhere

found.

predicated.

On the theory of natural selection we can clearly understand the full meaning of that old canon in natural history, "Natura non facit saltum." This canon, if we look

only

....

to the present inhabitants

alone of

the world, is not strictly

correct,

correct;

but if we include all those of past times, →whether known or unknown, it must on this theory be strictly true.

It is generally acknowledged that all organic beings have been formed on two great

laws—Unity

laws—

~~Unity~~

Unity

of Type, and the Conditions of Existence. By unity of type is meant that fundamental agreement in

structure,

structure

which we see in organic beings of the same class, and which is quite independent of their habits of life. On my theory, unity of type is explained by unity of descent. The expression of conditions of existence, so often insisted on by the illustrious Cuvier, is fully embraced by the principle of natural selection. For natural selection acts by either now adapting the varying parts of each being to its organic and inorganic conditions of life; or by