Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection |
From inside the book
Page 12
... countless number of analogous examples;–the Goliathi of Africa, the
Ornithopterae of the Indian Islands, the Heliconidae of South America, the
Danaidae of the East, and in all, the most closely allied species found in
geographical proximity.
... countless number of analogous examples;–the Goliathi of Africa, the
Ornithopterae of the Indian Islands, the Heliconidae of South America, the
Danaidae of the East, and in all, the most closely allied species found in
geographical proximity.
Page 59
But the most wonderful and undoubted case of protective resemblance in a
butterfly which I have ever seen, is that of the common Indian Kallima inachis,
and its Malayan ally, Kallima paralekta. The upper surface of these insects is very
...
But the most wonderful and undoubted case of protective resemblance in a
butterfly which I have ever seen, is that of the common Indian Kallima inachis,
and its Malayan ally, Kallima paralekta. The upper surface of these insects is very
...
Page 86
Passing on to India, we have Danais tytia, a butterfly with semi-transparent bluish
wings and a border of rich reddish brown. This remarkable style of colouring is
exactly reproduced in Papilio agestor and in . Diadema nama, and all three ...
Passing on to India, we have Danais tytia, a butterfly with semi-transparent bluish
wings and a border of rich reddish brown. This remarkable style of colouring is
exactly reproduced in Papilio agestor and in . Diadema nama, and all three ...
Page 87
... not closely allied to them, and also by a few of other families. Papilio hector, a
common Indian butterfly of a rich black colour spotted with crimson, is so closely
copied by Papilio romulus, that the latter insect has been thought to be its female.
... not closely allied to them, and also by a few of other families. Papilio hector, a
common Indian butterfly of a rich black colour spotted with crimson, is so closely
copied by Papilio romulus, that the latter insect has been thought to be its female.
Page 88
These are both from Sumatra; but in North India P. cöon is replaced by another
species, which has been named P. doubledayi, having red spots instead of
yellow ; and in the same district the corresponding female tailed form of Papilio ...
These are both from Sumatra; but in North India P. cöon is replaced by another
species, which has been named P. doubledayi, having red spots instead of
yellow ; and in the same district the corresponding female tailed form of Papilio ...
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action adapted allied animals appear beauty become believe birds body build butterflies causes changes character closely colour common comparatively complete consider conspicuous continually direction distinct doubt earth effect equally evidence exactly example existence explain extinct facts female flowers forces further genera genus geological give given greater groups habits imitation important increase individuals inhabiting insects instinct islands kind known less limited living male materials matter means mimicry mind mode modifications moths natural selection necessary nest never objects observations occur organic origin Papilio perfect period phenomena possess present probably produced protection prove race reason regions remarkable render resemble result savage seems sexes shown similar species structure supposed theory tints tion trees true universe variation varied varieties various whole wings young
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.
Bibliographic information
| Title | Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection |
| Author | Alfred Russel Wallace |
| Published | 1871 |
| Original from | the University of Michigan |
| Digitized | 17 veeb. 2006 |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |