See page in:
1859
1860
1861
1866
1869
1872

Compare with:
1859
1860
1861
1866
1869

preceding, less divergent and 1866 1869 1872
less divergent, the 1859 1860 1861

whole of the genera along this upper 1869 1872
genera on this 1859 1860 1861 1866

in common, though less than when grouped in sub-families; 1872
though less, in common; 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

into 1872
are included in, or subordinate to, 1859 1860 1861
are subordinate to 1866
in 1869

under one great 1872
united into one 1859 1860 1861 1866
in one great 1869

OMIT 1866 1869 1872
in natural history 1859 1860 1861

natural subordination of organic beings in 1872
subordination of 1859 1860 1861
natural subordination of all organic beings in 1866 1869

many 1869 1872
groups in many 1866

to 1869 1872
in their classification to 1866

as we have seen, try 1866 1869 1872
try 1859 1860 1861

supported by
looking at
observing
the great diversity of
the
....
forms
of life
....
which, in any small area, come into the closest competition, and by
looking to
....
certain facts in naturalisation.
I attempted also to show that there is a
constant
steady
tendency in the forms which are increasing in number and diverging in character, to supplant and exterminate the preceding, less divergent and less
improved,
improved
and preceding
....
forms. I request the reader to turn to the diagram illustrating the action, as formerly explained, of these several principles; and he will see that the inevitable result
is
is,
that the modified descendants proceeding from one progenitor become broken up into groups subordinate to groups. In the diagram each letter on the uppermost line may represent a genus including several species; and
all
....
the whole of the genera along this upper
upper line
line
form together one class, for all
have
are
descended from one ancient
but unseen
....
parent,
parent
and, consequently, have inherited something in common. But the three genera on the left hand have, on this same principle, much in common, and form a sub-family, distinct from that
including
containing
the next two genera on the right hand, which diverged from a common parent at the fifth stage of descent. These five genera have also
much,
much
in common, though less than when grouped in sub-families; and they form a family distinct from that
including
containing
the three genera still
further
farther
to the right hand, which diverged at
a still
an
earlier period. And all these genera,
pescended
descended
from (A), form an order distinct from the genera descended from (I). So that we here have many species descended from a single progenitor grouped into genera; and the genera into sub-families, families, and orders, all under one great
great class.
class.
Thus, the
The
grand fact OMIT of the natural subordination of organic beings in
group
groups
under
group,
groups,
which, from its familiarity, does not always sufficiently strike us, is in my judgment
fully
thus
thus
explained. No doubt organic beings, like all other objects, can be classed in many ways, either artificially by single characters or more naturally by a number of characters. We know, for instance, that minerals and the elemental substances can be thus
arranged;
arranged.
in
In
this case there is of course no relation to genealogical succession, and no cause can
at present
at present
be assigned for their falling into groups. But with organic beings the case is different, and the view above given
explains
accords with
their natural arrangement in group under group; and no other explanation has ever been attempted.
Naturalists
Naturalists,
as we have seen, try to arrange the species, genera, and families in each class, on what is called the Natural System. But what is meant by this system? Some authors look at it merely as a scheme for arranging together those living objects which are most alike, and for separating those which are most unlike; or as