On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection: Or, the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life

								


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1228    1859, First Edition
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2009    1872, Sixth Edition, considered the definitive edition.

On
the Origin of Species
BY MEANS OF NATURAL SELECTION,
OR THE
PRESERVATION OF FAVOURED RACES IN THE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.
By Charles Darwin, M.A.,
Fellow Of The Royal, Geological, Linnæan, Etc., Societies;
Author Of ‘Journal Of Researches During H.M.S. Beagle’s Voyage
Round The World.’
LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
1859.
“But with regard to the material world, we can at least go so far as
this—we can perceive that events are brought about not by insulated
interpositions of Divine power, exerted in each particular case, but by the
establishment of general laws.”
W. WHEWELL: Bridgewater Treatise.
“To conclude, therefore, let no man out of a weak conceit of sobriety, or
an ill-applied moderation, think or maintain, that a man can search too far or
be too well studied in the book of God’s word, or in the book of
God’s works; divinity or philosophy; but rather let men endeavour an
endless progress or proficience in both.”
BACON: Advancement of Learning.
Down, Bromley, Kent,

    October, 1st, 1859.

Contents


INTRODUCTION.
1. VARIATION UNDER DOMESTICATION.
2. VARIATION UNDER NATURE.
3. STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE.
4. NATURAL SELECTION.
5. LAWS OF VARIATION.
6. DIFFICULTIES ON THEORY.
7. INSTINCT.
8. HYBRIDISM.
9. ON THE IMPERFECTION OF THE GEOLOGICAL RECORD.
10. ON THE GEOLOGICAL SUCCESSION OF ORGANIC BEINGS.
11. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.
12. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION—continued.
13. MUTUAL AFFINITIES OF ORGANIC BEINGS: MORPHOLOGY:
14. RECAPITULATION AND CONCLUSION.
INDEX
DETEAILED CONTENTS. ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES.
INTRODUCTION.

CHAPTER I. VARIATION UNDER DOMESTICATION.


Causes of Variability.
Effects of Habit.
Correlation of Growth.
Inheritance.
Character of Domestic Varieties.
Difficulty of distinguishing between Varieties and Species.
Origin of Domestic Varieties from one or more Species.
Domestic Pigeons, their Differences and Origin.
Principle of Selection anciently followed, its Effects.
Methodical and Unconscious Selection.
Unknown Origin of our Domestic Productions.
Circumstances favourable to Man’s power of Selection.
CHAPTER 2. VARIATION UNDER NATURE.


Variability.
Individual Differences.
Doubtful species.
Wide ranging, much diffused, and common species vary most.
Species of the larger genera in any country vary more than the
species of the smaller genera.
Many of the species of the larger genera resemble varieties in being
very closely, but unequally, related to each other, and in having