Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection: A Series of EssaysMacmillan, 1871 - 384 pages Wallace noticed on expeditions to the Amazon and the Malay archipelego that mammals in Southeast Asia are more advanced than their Australian cousins. His suggestion was that the two continents had split before the better adapted mammals had evolved in Asia. The isolated Australian marsupials were able to thrive, whilst those in Asia were driven to extinction by competition from more advanced mammals. This led to his theory of natural selection, which he presented to the Linnean Society in 1858 with Charles Darwin. This volume reprints those papers presented to the Linnean Society. |
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Page 8
... seems to have obtained a deeper hold , many eminent naturalists having to some extent adopted it . We have , however , never been able to find a case in which the circle has been closed by a direct and close affinity . In most cases a ...
... seems to have obtained a deeper hold , many eminent naturalists having to some extent adopted it . We have , however , never been able to find a case in which the circle has been closed by a direct and close affinity . In most cases a ...
Page 14
... seem to show that there has been a general , but not a detailed pro- gression . Mollusca and Radiata existed before Ver- tebrata , and the progression from Fishes to Reptiles and Mammalia , and also from the lower mammals to the higher ...
... seem to show that there has been a general , but not a detailed pro- gression . Mollusca and Radiata existed before Ver- tebrata , and the progression from Fishes to Reptiles and Mammalia , and also from the lower mammals to the higher ...
Page 18
... seems no less probable that a change in the physical conditions of a district , even small in amount if rapid , or even gradual if to a great amount , would be highly unfavourable to the existence of individuals , might cause the ...
... seems no less probable that a change in the physical conditions of a district , even small in amount if rapid , or even gradual if to a great amount , would be highly unfavourable to the existence of individuals , might cause the ...
Page 19
... seems a fair assumption that during a period of geological repose the new species which we know to have been created would have appeared , that the creations would then exceed in number the extinctions , and therefore the number of ...
... seems a fair assumption that during a period of geological repose the new species which we know to have been created would have appeared , that the creations would then exceed in number the extinctions , and therefore the number of ...
Page 27
... seem quite incompatible with the " per- manent invariability of species , " but the difficulty is overcome by assuming that such varieties have strict limits , and can never again vary further from the original type , although they may ...
... seem quite incompatible with the " per- manent invariability of species , " but the difficulty is overcome by assuming that such varieties have strict limits , and can never again vary further from the original type , although they may ...
Other editions - View all
Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection: A Series of Essays ... Alfred Russel Wallace No preview available - 2018 |
Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection: A Series of Essays Alfred Russel Wallace No preview available - 2016 |
Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection: A Series of Essays Alfred Russel Wallace No preview available - 2019 |
Common terms and phrases
abundant action adapted affinity Amboyna anal valves animals antennæ appear beauty become bees beetles birds Borneo brain brilliant build butterflies caterpillars causes Celebes changes character closely allied species colour concealed conspicuous curious Danaidæ Darwin Diphilus distinct earth eggs enemies equally evidence exactly existence external extinct facts faculties favourable female birds flight flowers genera genus geological groups Guinea habits harmony Heliconidæ imitation India individuals inhabiting insects instinct islands Java larvæ Lepidoptera less Malayan male mental Mimeta mimic mimicry mode modifications Moluccas moths natural selection nectary nest never nidification number of species observations occur organic Origin of Species Ormenus Pammon Papilio Papilio Ulysses Papilionidæ peculiar perfect phenomena Polydorus possess probably produced protection races regions remarkable render resemble savage sexes sexual sexual selection shown structure Sumatra tail theory of natural Theseus tints tion trees tropical variation varied varieties whole wings
Popular passages
Page 368 - If, therefore, we have traced one force, however minute, to an origin in our own WILL, while we have no knowledge of any other primary cause of force, it does not seem an improbable conclusion that all force may be will-force ; and thus, that the whole universe, is not \ merely dependent on, but actually is, the WILL of higher intelligences or of one Supreme Intelligence.
Page 25 - Every species has come into existence coincident both in time and space with a preexisting closely allied species," Connects together and renders intelligible a vast number of independent and hitherto unexplained facts.
Page 35 - Even a change of colour might, by rendering them more or less distinguishable, affect their safety; a greater or less development of hair might modify their habits. More important changes, such as an increase in the power or dimensions of the limbs or any of the external organs, would more or less affect their mode of procuring food or the range of country which they inhabit.
Page 286 - Strictly speaking, therefore, Mr. Darwin's theory is not a theory on the Origin of Species at all, but only a theory on the causes which lead to the relative success or failure of such new forms as may be born into the world.
Page 38 - ... applied to high numbers, the results come nearer to what theory demands, and, as we approach to an infinity of examples, become strictly accurate. Now the scale on which nature works is so vast — the numbers of individuals and periods of time with which she deals approach so near to infinity, that any cause, however slight, and however liable to be veiled and counteracted by accidental circumstances, must in the end produce its full legitimate results.
Page 359 - A superior intelligence has guided the development of man in a definite direction and for a special purpose, just as man guides the development of many animal and vegetable forms...
Page 26 - One of the strongest arguments which have been adduced to prove the original and permanent distinctness of species is, that varieties produced in a state of domesticity are more or less unstable, and often have a tendency, if left to themselves, to return to the normal form of the parent species; and this instability is considered to be a distinctive peculiarity of all varieties, even of those occurring among wild animals in a state of nature, and to constitute a provision for preserving unchanged...
Page 356 - Natural Selection could only have endowed the savage with a brain a little superior to that of an ape, whereas he actually possesses one but very little inferior to that of the average members of our learned societies.
Page 30 - ... annually, — a striking result, but one which seems at least highly probable, and is perhaps under rather than over the truth. It would therefore appear that, as far as the continuance of the species and the keeping up the average number of individuals are concerned, large broods are superfluous. On the average all above one become food for hawks and kites, wild cats and weasels, or perish of cold and hunger as winter comes on.
Page 368 - God of the Granite and the Rose ! Soul of the Sparrow and the Bee ! The mighty tide of Being flows Through countless channels, Lord, from Thee. It leaps to life in grass and flowers, Through every grade of being runs, While from Creation's radiant towers Its glory flames in Stars and Suns.