Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection: A Series of EssaysMacmillan and Company, 1871 - 384 pages |
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Page 56
... tropics there are thousands of species of insects which rest during the day cling- ing to the bark of dead or fallen trees ; and the greater portion of these are delicately mottled with gray and brown tints , which though symmetrically ...
... tropics there are thousands of species of insects which rest during the day cling- ing to the bark of dead or fallen trees ; and the greater portion of these are delicately mottled with gray and brown tints , which though symmetrically ...
Page 60
... tropical shrubs and trees , and the lower wings are also produced into a short narrow tail . Between these two points runs a dark curved line exactly representing the midrib of a leaf , and from this radiate on each side a few oblique ...
... tropical shrubs and trees , and the lower wings are also produced into a short narrow tail . Between these two points runs a dark curved line exactly representing the midrib of a leaf , and from this radiate on each side a few oblique ...
Page 63
... the vegetation or the soil on which they live , and in no other group have we such strik- ing examples of special resemblance . Most of the tropical Mantidæ and Locustidæ are of the exact tint of RESEMBLANCES AMONG ANIMALS . 63.
... the vegetation or the soil on which they live , and in no other group have we such strik- ing examples of special resemblance . Most of the tropical Mantidæ and Locustidæ are of the exact tint of RESEMBLANCES AMONG ANIMALS . 63.
Page 64
A Series of Essays Alfred Russel Wallace. tropical Mantidæ and Locustidæ are of the exact tint of the leaves on which they habitually repose , and many of them in addition have the veinings of their wings modified so as exactly to ...
A Series of Essays Alfred Russel Wallace. tropical Mantidæ and Locustidæ are of the exact tint of the leaves on which they habitually repose , and many of them in addition have the veinings of their wings modified so as exactly to ...
Page 65
... tropical zones in a state of nature . There is not a single white land- bird or quadruped in Europe , except the few arctic or alpine species , to which white is a protective colour . Yet in many of these creatures there seems to be no ...
... tropical zones in a state of nature . There is not a single white land- bird or quadruped in Europe , except the few arctic or alpine species , to which white is a protective colour . Yet in many of these creatures there seems to be no ...
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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.