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[scroll up to see introduction]

Chapter — Number each paragraph

I. The Principles of Var. in domestic organisms —

II. The possible & probable application of these same principles to wild animals & the consequently the possible & probable production of wild races, analogous to the domestic ones of plants & animals —

III. The proofs reasons for & against believing that such races have really been produced, forming what are called species

Omissions

Memorandum In II introduces trifling characters pervading group of species, like bars in pidgeons — species not to be distinguished from races

vis medicatrix is a form of heredatriness, acting on individual as when nails have grown in stumps of pigeons.

No progression from old ages to present, but taking existing series as imperfect index of what probably have existed, there is a tendency to complication; natural effect of my theory

{Extent of my theory, have nothing to do with first origin of life, grow multiplication — mind, the & (or with any attempt to find out whether descended from one form & what that form was.—}

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Maer May 1842        useless

Geology shows us that vast succession of organisms have inhabited this earth. They appear to have come & disappeared suddenly in groups — But in later periods we have reason to believe they have come on & disappeared from the scene one by one; & we must believe that some have disappeared within late periods. We are thus led to ask whether their appearance be not rather due to some regular cause or law of nature & not to infinitely numerous separate miracles.— Looking further we see that fossils of any one country are more particularly related to the living organisms of that country than to any other; we ask can they be descended from these fossils? — We see in near continent & different parts of the continent, whether separated by space, change of temp, great rivers or mountains inhabited by different species wh. have evident relationships — affinity — unity of type — fœtal state abortive organs — hybrids like mongrels — difficulty of testing species from varieties — if species given up, genera must. — We know that variation within certain limits is possible, we ask for limits of this variation who can answer? —

[boxed] This page was thought of as introduction