Transcriber's note: A few typographical errors have been corrected: they are listed at the end of the text. * * * * * ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES. * * * * * "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." WHEWELL: _Bridgewater Treatise_. "The only distinct meaning of the word 'natural' is _stated_, _fixed_, or _settled_; since what is natural as much requires and presupposes an intelligent agent to render it so, _i.e._ to effect it continually or at stated times, as what is supernatural or miraculous does to effect it for once." BUTLER: _Analogy of Revealed Religion_. "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._ (_1st Thousand_). * * * * * 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, LINNEAN, ETC., SOCIETIES; AUTHOR OF 'JOURNAL OF RESEARCHES DURING H. M. S. BEAGLE'S VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD.' _FIFTH THOUSAND._ LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. 1860. _The right of Translation is reserved._ * * * * * LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET, AND CHARING CROSS. * * * * * {v} CONTENTS. * * * * * INTRODUCTION Page 1 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 7-43 CHAPTER II. 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 restricted ranges 44-59 {vi} CHAPTER III. STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE.