,?is e,book 0 conv]t$ to ,,html1 )
additional edit+1 by ,jose ,m55dez f !
text edition produc$ by ,amy ,e4 ,zelm]4
,! ,d>w9ian ,hypo!sis99 by
,?omas ,h4 ,huxley ,,d>w9 ,,on
,,! ,,orig9 ,,( ,,species4 ,,!re is
a gr[+ imm5sity 9 ! speculations (
sci5ce to :i* no human ?+ or ?\ght at
?is day is comp>able4 ,ap>t f ! results
:i* sci5ce br+s u home & securely
h>ve/s1 !re is an expansive =ce &
latitude 9 its t5tative ef=ts1 :i* lifts
u out ( ourselves & transfigures our
mortality4 ,we may h a pref]5ce = moral
!mes1 l ! ,hom]ic sage1 :o _h se5 &
kn[n mu*3-- 8,cities ( m5
,& mann]s1 climates1 c\ncils1
gov]nm5ts02 yet we mu/ end by
confession t 8,! w9dy ways ( m5
,are b du/ :i* rises up ,& is
lightly laid aga910 9 comp>ison ) !
"w ( nature1 to :i* sci5ce te/ifies1 b
:i* has no b\nd>ies 9 "t or space to :i*
sci5ce c approximate4 ,!re is
some?+ altoge!r out ( ! rea* ( sci5ce1 &
yet ! compass ( sci5ce is practically
illimitable4 ,h5ce x is t f "t to "t we
are />tl$ & p]plex$ by !ories :i* h no
p>allel 9 ! contract$ moral _w2 = !
g5]alizations ( sci5ce sweep on 9
ev]-wid5+ circles1 & m aspir+ flights1
?r\gh a limitless creation4 ,:ile
a/ronomy1 ) its telescope1 ranges
beyond ! kn[n />s1 & physiology1 ) its
microscope1 is subdivid+ inf9ite
m9utiae1 we may expect t our hi/oric
c5turies may be treat$ z inadequate
c\nt]s 9 ! hi/ory ( ! planet on :i* we
are plac$4 ,we mu/ expect new
conceptions ( ! nature & relations (
its d5iz5s1 z sci5ce acquires ! mat]ials
= fre% g5]alizations2 nor h we
occasion = al>ms if a highly advanc$ k1
l t ( ! em95t ,naturali/ be=e u1
confronts u ) an hypo!sis z va/ z x is
novel4 ,?is hypo!sis may or may n be
su/a9able h]eaft]2 x may give way to
some?+ else1 & high] sci5ce may rev]se
:at sci5ce has "h built up ) s mu*
skill & pati5ce1 b its suffici5cy mu/ be
tri$ by ! te/s ( sci5ce alone1 if we
are to ma9ta9 our position z ! heirs (
,bacon & ! acquitt]s ( ,galileo4 ,we mu/
weigh ?is hypo!sis /rictly 9 !
controv]sy :i* is com+1 by ! only te/s
:i* are appropriate1 & by no o!rs
:atsoev]4 ,! hypo!sis to :i* we po9t1
& ( :i* ! pres5t "w ( ,mr4 ,d>w9 is b
! prelim9>y outl9e1 may be /at$ 9 8 own
language z foll[s3--8,species orig9at$
by means ( natural selection1 or ?r\gh
! pres]vation ( ! fav\r$ races 9 !
/ruggle = life40 ,to r5d] ?is !sis
intelligible1 x is necess>y to int]pret
its t]ms4 ,9 ! fir/ place1 :at is a
species8 ,! "q is a simple "o1 b ! "r
answ] to x is h>d to f9d1 ev5 if we
appeal to ^? :o %\ld "k mo/ ab\t x4 ,x
is all ^? animals or plants :i* h
desc5d$ f a s+le pair ( p>5ts2 x is !
smalle/ di/9ctly def9able gr\p ( liv+
organisms2 x is an et]nal & immutable
entity2 x is a m]e ab/raction ( ! human
intellect hav+ no exi/5ce 9 nature4 ,su*
are a few ( ! significations atta*$ to
?is simple ^w :i* may be cull$ f
au?oritative s\rces2 & if1 leav+ t]ms &
!oretical subtleties aside1 we turn to
facts & endeav\r to ga!r a mean+ =
ourselves1 by /udy+ ! ?+s to :i*1 9
practice1 ! "n ( species is appli$1 x
pr(its u little4 ,= practice v>ies z mu*
z !ory4 ,let ! botani/ or ! zoologi/
exam9e & describe ! productions ( a
c\ntry1 & "o w pretty c]ta9ly disagree )
! o!r z to ! numb]1 limits1 &
def9itions ( ! species into :i* he
gr\ps ! v same ?+s4 ,9 ^! isl&s1 we are
9 ! habit ( reg>d+ mank9d z ( "o
species1 b a =tnight's /eam w l& u 9 a
c\ntry :]e div9es & savants1 = once 9
agreem5t1 vie ) "o ano!r 9 l\dness (
ass]tion1 if n 9 cog5cy ( pro(1 t m5
are ( diff]5t species2 &1 m p>ticul>ly1
t ! species negro is s di/9ct f our own
t ! ,t5 ,comm&m5ts h actually no
ref]5ce to him4 ,ev5 9 ! calm region (
entomology1 :]e1 if any:]e 9 ?is s9ful
_w1 passion & prejudice %\ld fail to
/ir ! m9d1 "o le>n$ coleopt]i/ w fill
t5 attractive volumes ) descriptions (
species ( beetles1 n9e-t5?s ( :i* are
imm$iately decl>$ by 8 bro!r
beetle-mong]s to be no species at all4
,! tru? is t ! numb] ( di/+ui%able liv+
creatures almo/ surpasses imag9ation4
,at lea/ a hundr$ ?\s& su* k9ds (
insects alone h be5 describ$ & may be
id5tifi$ 9 collections1 & ! numb] (
sep>able k9ds ( liv+ ?+s is und]e/imat$
at half a million4 ,see+ t mo/ ( ^!
obvi\s k9ds h _! accid5tal v>ieties1 &
t !y (t5 %ade into o!rs by imp]ceptible
degrees1 x may well be imag9$ t ! task
( di/+ui%+ betwe5 :at is p]man5t & :at
fleet+1 :at is a species & :at a m]e
v>iety1 is suffici5tly =midable4 ,b
is x n possible to apply a te/ :]eby a
true species may be kn[n f a m]e
v>iety8 ,is !re no crit]ion ( species8
,great au?orities affirm t !re is--t !
unions ( memb]s ( ! same species are
always f]tile1 :ile ^? ( di/9ct species
are ei!r /]ile1 or _! (fspr+1 call$
hybrids1 are s4 ,x is affirm$ n only t
?is is an exp]im5tal fact1 b t x is a
provision = ! pres]vation ( ! purity (
species4 ,su* a crit]ion z ?is w\ld be
invaluable2 b1 un=tunately1 n only is x
n obvi\s h[ to apply x 9 ! great
majority ( cases 9 :i* its aid is ne$$1
b its g5]al validity is /\tly d5i$4 ,!
,hon4 & ,rev4 ,mr4 ,h]b]t1 a mo/
tru/wor?y au?ority1 n only ass]ts z !
result ( 8 own obs]vations & exp]im5ts
t _m hybrids are q z f]tile z ! p>5t
species1 b he goes s f> z to ass]t t !
p>ticul> plant ,cr9um cap5se is mu* m
f]tile :5 cross$ by a di/9ct species
?an :5 f]tilis$ by its prop] poll56 ,on
! o!r h&1 ! fam\s ,ga]tn]1 ?\gh he took
! greate/ pa9s to cross ! primrose & !
c[slip1 succe$$ only once or twice 9
sev]al ye>s2 & yet x is a well-e/abli%$
fact t ! primrose & ! c[slip are only
v>ieties ( ! same k9d ( plant4 ,aga91
su* cases z ! foll[+ are well e/abli%$4
,! female ( species ,a1 if cross$ ) !
male ( species ,b1 is f]tile2 b1 if !
female ( ,b is cross$ ) ! male ( ,a1 %e
rema9s b>r54 ,facts ( ?is k9d de/roy !
value ( ! suppos$ crit]ion4 ,if1 we>y
( ! endless difficulties involv$ 9 !
det]m9ation ( species1 ! inve/igator1
cont5t+ himself ) ! r\gh practical
di/9ction ( sep>able k9ds1 endeav\rs to
/udy !m z !y occur 9 nature--to asc]ta9
_! relations to ! conditions :i*
surr\nd !m1 _! mutual h>monies &
discordances ( /ructure1 ! bond ( union
( _! p>ts & _! pa/ hi/ory1 he f9ds
himself1 accord+ to ! receiv$ notions1
9 a mighty maze1 & )1 at mo/1 ! dimme/
adumbration ( a plan4 ,if he />ts ) any
"o cle> conviction1 x is t e "p ( a
liv+ creature is cunn+ly adapt$ to "s
special use 9 its life4 ,has n 8 ,paley
told him t t seem+ly useless organ1 !
sple51 is beautifully adju/$ z s mu*
pack+ betwe5 ! o!r organs8 ,& yet1 at !
outset ( 8 /udies1 he f9ds t no
adaptive reason :atsoev] c be giv5 =
"o-half ( ! peculi>ities ( vegetable
/ructure2 he also discov]s rudim5t>y
tee?1 :i* are nev] us$1 9 ! gums ( ! "y
calf & 9 ^? ( ! foetal :ale2 insects
:i* nev] bite h rudim5tal jaws1 & o!rs
:i* nev] fly h rudim5tal w+s2 naturally
bl9d creatures h rudim5tal eyes2 & !
halt h rudim5t>y limbs4 ,s1 aga91 no
animal or plant puts on its p]fect =m
at once1 b all h to />t f ! same po9t1
h[ev] v>i\s ! c\rse :i* ea* has to
pursue4 ,n only m5 & horses1 & cats &
dogs1 lob/]s & beetles1 p]iw9kles &
mussels1 b ev5 ! v sponges &
animalcules comm5ce _! exi/5ce "u =ms
:i* are ess5tially undi/+ui%able2 & ?is
is true ( all ! inf9ite v>iety (
plants4 ,nay1 m1 all liv+ be+s m>* side
by side along ! high road ( developm5t1
& sep>ate ! lat] ! m l !y are2 l p
leav+ *ur*1 :o all g d[n ! aisle1 b
hav+ rea*$ ! door "s turn into !
p>sonage1 o!rs g d[n ! village1 & o!rs
"p only 9 ! next p>i%4 ,a man 9 8
developm5t runs = a little :ile p>allel
)1 ?\gh nev] pass+ ?r\gh1 ! =m ( !
meane/ worm1 !n travels = a space
beside ! fi%1 !n j\rneys along ) ! bird
& ! reptile = 8 fell[ travell]s2 & only
at la/1 aft] a brief companion%ip ) !
highe/ ( ! f\r-foot$ & f\r-h&$ _w1 rises
into ! dignity ( pure manhood4 ,no
compet5t ?9k] ( ! pres5t day dreams (
expla9+ ^! indubitable facts by ! notion
( ! exi/5ce ( unkn[n & undiscov]able
adaptations to purpose4 ,& we w\ld
rem9d ^? :o1 ignorant ( ! facts1 mu/ be
mov$ by au?ority1 t no "o has ass]t$ !
incompet5ce ( ! doctr9e ( f9al causes1
9 its application to physiology &
anatomy1 m /rongly ?an our own em95t
anatomi/1 ,pr(essor ,ow51 :o1 speak+ (
su* cases1 says 7,on ! ,nature ( ,limbs1
pp4 #ci1 #dj73 8,i ?9k x w be obvi\s t
! pr9ciple ( f9al adaptations fails to
satisfy all ! conditions ( ! problem40
,b1 if ! doctr9e ( f9al causes w n help
u to compreh5d ! anomalies ( liv+
/ructure1 ! pr9ciple ( adaptation mu/
surely lead u to und]/& :y c]ta9 liv+
be+s are f\nd 9 c]ta9 regions ( ! _w &
n 9 o!rs4 ,! palm1 z we "k1 w n gr[ 9
our climate1 nor ! oak 9 ,gre5l&4 ,!
:ite be> _c live :]e ! tig] ?rives1 nor
vice v]sa1 & ! m ! natural habits (
animal & vegetable species are exam9$1 !
m d !y seem1 on ! :ole1 limit$ to
p>ticul> prov9ces4 ,b :5 we look into !
facts e/abli%$ by ! /udy ( !
geographical di/ribution ( animals &
plants x seems utt]ly hopeless to
attempt to und]/& ! /range & app>5tly
caprici\s relations :i* !y exhibit4 ,"o
w\ld be incl9$ to suppose a priori t e
c\ntry mu/ be naturally peopl$ by ^?
animals t are fitte/ to live & ?rive 9
x4 ,& yet h[1 on ?is hypo!sis1 are we to
acc\nt = ! abs5ce ( cattle 9 ! ,pampas
( ,s\? ,am]ica1 :5 ^? p>ts ( ! ,new
,_w 7 discov]$8 ,x is n t !y 7 unfit =
cattle1 = millions ( cattle n[ run wild
!re2 & ! l holds good ( ,au/ralia &
,new ,zeal&4 ,x is a curi\s
circum/ance1 9 fact1 t ! animals &
plants ( ! ,nor!rn ,hemisph]e are n
only z well adapt$ to live 9 ! ,s\!rn
,hemisph]e z its own auto*?ones1 b are 9
_m cases absolutely bett] adapt$1 & s
ov]run & extirpate ! aborig9es4 ,cle>ly1
!re=e1 ! species :i* naturally inhabit
a c\ntry are n necess>ily ! be/ adapt$
to its climate & o!r conditions4 ,!
inhabitants ( isl&s are (t5 di/9ct f any
o!r kn[n species ( animal or plants
7witness our rec5t examples f ! "w (
,sir ,em]son ,t5n5t1 on ,ceylon71 & yet
!y h almo/ always a sort ( g5]al
family resemblance to ! animals & plants
( ! ne>e/ ma9l&4 ,on ! o!r h&1 !re is
h>dly a species ( fi%1 %ell1 or crab
common to ! opposite sides ( ! n>r[
i/hmus ( ,panama4 ,:]ev] we look1 !n1
liv+ nature (f]s u riddles ( difficult
solution1 if we suppose t :at we see is
all t c be kn[n ( x4 ,b our k ( life
is n conf9$ to ! exi/+ _w4 ,:atev] _!
m9or diff]5ces1 geologi/s are agre$ z to
! va/ ?ickness ( ! accumulat$ /rata
:i* compose ! visible "p ( our e>?1 & !
inconceivable imm5sity ( ! "t ( ^:
lapse !y are ! imp]fect1 b ! only
accessible witnesses4 ,n[1 ?r\gh\t !
great] "p ( ?is long s]ies ( /ratifi$
rocks are scatt]$1 sometimes v
abundantly1 multitudes ( organic rema9s1
! fossiliz$ exuviae ( animals & plants
:i* liv$ & di$ :ile ! mud ( :i* !
rocks are =m$ 0 yet s(t ooze1 & c\ld
receive & bury !m4 ,x w\ld be a great
error to suppose t ^! organic rema9s 7
fragm5t>y relics4 ,our museums exhibit
fossil %ells ( immeasurable antiquity1
z p]fect z ! day !y 7 =m$1 :ole
skeletons )\t a limb di/urb$--nay1 !
*ang$ fle%1 ! develop+ embryos1 & ev5 !
v foot/eps ( primeval organisms4 ,?us
! naturali/ f9ds 9 ! b[els ( ! e>?
species z well def9$ z1 & 9 "s gr\ps (
animals m num]\s ?an1 ^? t brea! ! upp]
air4 ,b1 s+ul>ly en\gh1 ! majority (
^! entomb$ species are :olly di/9ct f ^?
t n[ live4 ,nor is ?is unlik5ess )\t
its rule & ord]4 ,z a broad fact1 !
fur!r we g back 9 "t ! less ! buri$
species are l exi/+ =ms2 & ! fur!r ap>t
! sets ( ext9ct creatures are ! less
!y are l "o ano!r4 ,9 o!r words1 !re has
be5 a regul> succession ( liv+ be+s1
ea* y\ng] set be+ 9 a v broad & g5]al
s5se some:at m l ^? :i* n[ live4 ,x 0
once suppos$ t ?is succession _h be5 !
result ( va/ successive cata/rophes1
de/ructions1 & re-creations en masse2 b
cata/rophes are n[ almo/ elim9at$ f
geological1 or at lea/ palaeontological
speculation2 & x is admitt$ on all h&s
t ! seem+ breaks 9 ! *a9 ( be+ are n
absolute1 b only relative to our
imp]fect k2 t species h replac$
species1 n 9 assemblages1 b "o by "o2 &
t1 if x 7 possible to h all ! ph5om5a (
! pa/ pres5t$ to u1 ! conv5i5t epo*s &
=mations ( ! geologi/1 ?\gh hav+ a
c]ta9 di/9ctness1 w\ld fade into "o
ano!r ) limits z undef9able z ^? ( !
di/9ct & yet sep>able col\rs ( ! sol>
spectrum4 ,su* is a brief summ>y ( !
ma9 tru?s :i* h be5 e/abli%$ conc]n+
species4 ,are ^! tru?s ultimate &
irresolvable facts1 or are _!
complexities & p]plexities ! m]e
expressions ( a high] law8 ,a l>ge
numb] ( p]sons practically assume ! =m]
position to be correct4 ,!y believe t !
writ] ( ! ,p5tateu* 0 emp[]$ &
commission$ to tea* u sci5tific z well z
o!r tru?1 t ! acc\nt we f9d !re ( !
creation ( liv+ ?+s is simply &
lit]ally correct1 & t any?+ :i* seems to
contradict x is1 by ! nature ( ! case1
false4 ,all ! ph5om5a :i* h be5
detail$ are1 on ?is view1 ! imm$iate
product ( a creative fiat & consequ5tly
are out ( ! doma9 ( sci5ce altoge!r4
,:e!r ?is view prove ultimately to be
true or false1 x is1 at any rate1 n at
pres5t support$ by :at is commonly
reg>d$ z logical pro(1 ev5 if x be
capable ( discussion by reason2 & h5ce
we consid] ourselves at lib]ty to pass
x by1 & to turn to ^? views :i* pr(ess
to re/ on a sci5tific basis only1 &
!re=e admit ( be+ argu$ to _!
consequ5ces4 ,& we d ?is ) ! less
hesitation z x s happ5s t ^? p]sons :o
are practically conv]sant ) ! facts ( !
case 7pla9ly a consid]able advantage7
h always ?\ght fit to range !mselves "u
! latt] category4 ,! majority ( ^!
compet5t p]sons h up to ! pres5t "t
ma9ta9$ two positions1--! fir/1 t e
species is1 )9 c]ta9 def9$ or def9able
limits1 fix$ & incapable (
modification2 ! second1 t e species 0
orig9ally produc$ by a di/9ct creative
act4 ,! second position is obvi\sly
incapable ( pro( or dispro(1 ! direct
op]ations ( ! ,creator n be+ subjects (
sci5ce2 & x mu/ !re=e be reg>d$ z a
coroll>y f ! fir/1 ! tru? or falsehood
( :i* is a matt] ( evid5ce4 ,mo/ p]sons
imag9e t ! argum5ts 9 fav\r ( x are
ov]:elm+2 b to "s few m9ds1 & ^!1 x mu/
be confess$1 intellects ( no small p[]
& grasp ( k1 !y h n br\ght conviction4
,among ^! m9ds1 t ( ! fam\s naturali/
,lam>ck1 :o possess$ a great]
acqua9tance ) ! l[] =ms ( life ?an any
man ( 8 day1 ,cuvi] n except$1 & 0 a
good botani/ to boot1 occupies a
prom95t place4 ,two facts appe> to h
/rongly affect$ ! c\rse ( ?\ght ( ?is
rem>kable man--! "o1 t f9] or /rong]
l9ks ( aff9ity connect all liv+ be+s )
"o ano!r1 & t ?us ! highe/ creature
grades by multitud9\s /eps into ! l[e/2
! o!r1 t an organ may be develop$ 9
p>ticul> directions by ex]t+ itself 9
p>ticul> ways1 & t modifications once
induc$ may be transmitt$ & become
h]$it>y4 ,putt+ ^! facts toge!r1
,lam>ck endeav\r$ to acc\nt = ! fir/ by
! op]ation ( ! second4 ,place an animal
9 new circum/ances1 says he1 & its ne$s
w be alt]$2 ! new ne$s w create new
desires1 & ! attempt to gratify su*
desires w result 9 an appropriate
modification ( ! organs ex]t$4 ,make a
man a blacksmi?1 & 8 bra*ial muscles w
develop 9 accordance ) ! dem&s made ^u
!m1 & 9 l mann]1 says ,lam>ck1 8! ef=ts
( "s %ort-neck$ bird to cat* fi% )\t
wett+ himself h1 ) "t & p]sev]ance1 giv5
rise to all our h]ons & long-neck$
wad]s40 ,! ,lam>ckian hypo!sis has
long s9ce be5 ju/ly condemn$1 & x is !
e/abli%$ practice = e tyro to raise 8
heel aga9/ ! c>cass ( ! dead lion4 ,b x
is r>ely ei!r wise or in/ructive to
treat ev5 ! errors ( a really great man
) m]e ridicule1 & 9 ! pres5t case !
logical =m ( ! doctr9e /&s on a v
diff]5t foot+ f its sub/ance4 ,if
species h really aris5 by ! op]ation (
natural conditions1 we ought to be able
to f9d ^? conditions n[ at "w2 we ought
to be able to discov] 9 nature "s p[]
adequate to modify any giv5 k9d (
animal or plant 9 su* a mann] z to give
rise to ano!r k9d1 :i* w\ld be admitt$
by naturali/s z a di/9ct species4
,lam>ck imag9$ t he _h discov]$ ?is v]a
causa 9 ! admitt$ facts t "s organs may
be modifi$ by ex]cise2 & t
modifications1 once produc$1 are capable
( h]$it>y transmission4 ,x does n seem
to h occurr$ to him to inquire :e!r !re
is any reason to believe t !re are any
limits to ! am\nt ( modification
producible1 or to ask h[ long an animal
is likely to endeav\r to gratify an
impossible desire4 ,! bird1 9 our
example1 w\ld surely h r5\nc$ fi% d9n]s
long be=e x _h produc$ ! lea/ effect
on leg or neck4 ,s9ce ,lam>ck's "t1
almo/ all compet5t naturali/s h left
speculations on ! orig9 ( species to su*
dream]s z ! au?or ( ! 8,ve/iges10 by
^: well-int5tion$ ef=ts ! ,lam>ckian
!ory receiv$ its f9al condemnation 9 !
m9ds ( all s\nd ?9k]s4 ,not)/&+ ?is
sil5ce1 h[ev]1 ! transmutation !ory1 z x
has be5 call$1 has be5 a 8skeleton 9 !
closet0 to _m an hone/ zoologi/ &
botani/ :o _h a s\l above ! m]e nam+ (
dri$ plants & sk9s4 ,surely1 has su* an
"o ?\ght1 nature is a mighty &
consi/5t :ole1 & ! provid5tial ord]
e/abli%$ 9 ! _w ( life mu/1 if we c\ld
only see x rightly1 be consi/5t ) t
dom9ant ov] ! multi=m %apes ( brute
matt]4 ,b :at is ! hi/ory ( a/ronomy1 (
all ! bran*es ( physics1 ( *emi/ry1 (
m$ic9e1 b a n>ration ( ! /eps by :i* !
human m9d has be5 compell$1 (t5 sorely
aga9/ its w1 to recognize ! op]ation (
second>y causes 9 ev5ts :]e ignorance
beheld an imm$iate int]v5tion ( a high]
p[]8 ,& :5 we "k t liv+ ?+s are =m$ (
! same elem5ts z ! inorganic _w1 t !y
act & react ^u x1 b\nd by a ?\s& ties (
natural piety1 is x probable1 nay is x
possible1 t !y1 & !y alone1 %\ld h no
ord] 9 _! seem+ disord]1 no unity 9 _!
seem+ multiplicity1 %\ld suff] no
explanation by ! discov]y ( "s c5tral &
sublime law ( mutual connexion8
,que/ions ( ?is k9d h assur$ly (t5
aris51 b x might h be5 long be=e !y
receiv$ su* expression z w\ld h comm&$
! respect & att5tion ( ! sci5tific _w1
_h x n be5 = ! publication ( ! "w :i*
prompt$ ?is article4 ,its au?or1 ,mr4
,d>w91 inh]itor ( a once celebrat$ "n1
won 8 spurs 9 sci5ce :5 mo/ ( ^? n[
di/+ui%$ 7 "y m51 & has = ! la/ #bj
ye>s held a place 9 ! front ranks (
,briti% philosoph]s4 ,aft] a
circumnavigatory voyage1 und]tak5 solely
= ! love ( 8 sci5ce1 ,mr4 ,d>w9
publi%$ a s]ies ( rese>*es :i* at once
arre/$ ! att5tion ( naturali/s &
geologi/s2 8 g5]alizations h s9ce
receiv$ ample confirmation1 & n[ comm&
univ]sal ass5t1 nor is x que/ionable t
!y h _h ! mo/ important influ5ce on !
progress ( sci5ce4 ,m rec5tly ,mr4
,d>w91 ) a v]satility :i* is among !
r>e/ ( gifts1 turn$ 8 att5tion to a mo/
difficult "q ( zoology & m9ute
anatomy2 & no liv+ naturali/ & anatomi/
has publi%$ a bett] monograph ?an t :i*
result$ f 8 lab\rs4 ,su* a man1 at all
ev5ts1 has n ent]$ ! sanctu>y ) unwa%$
h&s1 & :5 he lays be=e u ! results (
#bj ye>s' inve/igation & reflection we
mu/ li/5 ev5 ?\gh we be dispos$ to
/rike4 ,b1 9 read+ 8 "w x mu/ be
confess$ t ! att5tion :i* might at fir/
be dutifully1 soon becomes will+ly1
giv51 s cle> is ! au?or's ?\ght1 s
outspok5 8 conviction1 s hone/ & fair !
c&id expression ( 8 d\bts4 ,^? :o w\ld
judge ! book mu/ read x2 we %all
endeav\r only to make its l9e ( argum5t
& its philosophical position
intelligible to ! g5]al read] 9 our own
way4 ,! ,bak]-/reet ,baza> has j be5
exhibit+ its famili> annual spectacle4
,/raight-back$1 small-head$1 big-b>rell$
ox51 z dissimil> f any wild species z
c well be imag9$1 cont5d$ = att5tion &
praise ) %eep ( half-a-doz5 diff]5t
bre$s & /yes ( bloat$ prepo/]\s pigs1
no m l a wild bo> or s[ ?an a city
ald]man is l an ourang-outang4 ,! cattle
%[ has be51 & p]haps may aga9 be1
succe$$ by a p\ltry %[1 ( ^: cr[+ &
cluck+ prodigies x c only be c]ta9ly
pr$icat$ t !y w be v unlike ! aborig9al
,phasianus gallus4 ,if ! seek] aft]
animal anomalies is n satisfi$1 a turn
or two 9 ,sev5 ,dials w conv9ce him t !
bre$s ( pigeons are q z extraord9>y &
unlike "o ano!r & _! p>5t /ock1 :ile !
,horticultural ,society w provide him )
any numb] ( correspond+ vegetable
ab]rations f nature's types4 ,he w le>n
) no little surprise1 too1 9 ! c\rse (
8 travels1 t ! proprietors & produc]s (
^! animal & vegetable anomalies reg>d
!m z di/9ct species1 ) a firm belief1 !
/r5g? ( :i* is exactly proportion$ to
_! ignorance ( sci5tific biology1 & :i*
is ! m rem>kable z !y are all pr\d ( _!
skill 9 orig9at+ su* 8species40 ,on
c>eful inquiry x is f\nd t all ^!1 & !
_m o!r artificial bre$s or races (
animals & plants1 h be5 produc$ by "o
me?od4 ,! bre$]--& a skilful "o mu/ be a
p]son ( mu* sagacity & natural or
acquir$ p]ceptive faculty--notes "s
slight diff]5ce1 aris+ he kn[s n h[1 9
"s individuals ( 8 /ock4 ,if he wi% to
p]petuate ! diff]5ce1 to =m a bre$ ) !
peculi>ity 9 "q /rongly m>k$1 he selects
su* male & female individuals z
exhibit ! desir$ "*1 & bre$s f !m4 ,_!
(fspr+ are !n c>efully exam9$1 & ^? :i*
exhibit ! peculi>ity ! mo/ di/9ctly are
select$ = bre$+1 & ?is op]ation is
repeat$ until ! desir$ am\nt ( div]g5ce
f ! primitive /ock is rea*$4 ,x is !n
f\nd t by cont9u+ ! process (
selection--always bre$+1 t is1 f
well-m>k$ =ms1 & all[+ no impure crosses
to int]f]e1--a race may be =m$1 !
t5d5cy ( :i* to reproduce itself is
exce$+ly /rong2 nor is ! limit to !
am\nt ( div]g5ce :i* may be ?us produc$
kn[n1 b "o ?+ is c]ta91 t1 if c]ta9
bre$s ( dogs1 or ( pigeons1 or (
horses1 7 kn[n only 9 a fossil /ate1 no
naturali/ w\ld hesitate 9 reg>d+ !m z
di/9ct species4 ,b1 9 all ^! cases we
h human int]f]5ce4 ,)\t ! bre$] !re
w\ld be no selection1 & )\t ! selection
no race4 ,be=e admitt+ ! possibility (
natural species hav+ orig9at$ 9 any
simil> way1 x mu/ be prov$ t !re is 9
nature "s p[] :i* takes ! place ( man1
& p]=ms a selection sua sponte4 ,x is !
claim ( ,mr4 ,d>w9 t he pr(esses to h
discov]$ ! exi/5ce & ! modus op]&i ( ?is
natural selection1 z he t]ms x2 &1 if
he be "r1 ! process is p]fectly simple
& compreh5sible1 & irresi/ibly d$ucible
f v famili> b well nigh =gott5 facts4
,:o1 = in/ance1 has duly reflect$ ^u all
! consequ5ces ( ! m>vell\s /ruggle =
exi/5ce :i* is daily & h\rly go+ on
among liv+ be+s8 ,n only does e animal
live at ! exp5se ( "s o!r animal or
plant1 b ! v plants are at w>4 ,! gr\nd
is full ( se$s t _c rise into se$l+s2 !
se$l+s rob "o ano!r ( air1 light &
wat]1 ! /ronge/ robb] w9n+ ! day1 &
ext+ui%+ 8 competitors4 ,ye> aft] ye>1 !
wild animals ) :i* man nev] int]f]es
are1 on ! av]age1 nei!r m nor less
num]\s ?an !y 72 & yet we "k t ! annual
produce ( e pair is f "o to p]haps a
million "y1--s t x is ma!matically
c]ta9 t1 on ! av]age1 z _m are kill$ by
natural causes z are born e ye>1 & ^?
only escape :i* happ5 to be a little
bett] fitt$ to resi/ de/ruction ?an ^?
:i* die4 ,! individuals ( a species are
l ! crew ( a f\nd]$ %ip1 & none b good
swimm]s h a *ance ( rea*+ ! l&4 ,su*
be+ unque/ionably ! necess>y conditions
"u :i* liv+ creatures exi/1 ,mr4 ,d>w9
discov]s 9 !m ! in/rum5t ( natural
selection4 ,suppose t 9 ! mid/ ( ?is
incessant competition "s individuals (
a species 7,a7 pres5t accid5tal
v>iations :i* happ5 to fit !m a little
bett] ?an _! fell[s = ! /ruggle 9 :i*
!y are engag$1 !n ! *ances are 9 fav\r1
n only ( ^! individuals be+ bett]
n\ri%$ ?an ! o!rs1 b ( _! pr$om9at+ ov]
_! fell[s 9 o!r ways1 & ( hav+ a bett]
*ance ( leav+ (fspr+1 :i* w ( c\rse t5d
to reproduce ! peculi>ities ( _! p>5ts4
,_! (fspr+ w1 by a p>ity ( reason+1
t5d to pr$om9ate ov] _! contempor>ies1 &
!re be+ 7suppose7 no room = m ?an "o
species su* z ,a1 ! weak] v>iety w
ev5tually be de/roy$ by ! new de/ructive
influ5ce :i* is ?r[n into ! scale1 & !
/rong] w take its place4 ,surr\nd+
conditions rema9+ un*ang$1 ! new v>iety
7:i* we may call ,b7--suppos$1 =
argum5t's sake1 to be ! be/ adapt$ = ^!
conditions :i* c be got out ( ! orig9al
/ock--w rema9 un*ang$1 all accid5tal
deviations f ! type becom+ at once
ext+ui%$1 z less fit = _! po/ ?an ,b
itself4 ,! t5d5cy ( ,b to p]si/ w gr[ )
its p]si/5ce ?r\gh successive
g5]ations1 & x w acquire all ! *>act]s (
a new species4 ,b1 on ! o!r h&1 if !
conditions ( life *ange 9 any degree1
h[ev] slight1 ,b may no long] be t =m
:i* is be/ adapt$ to )/& _! de/ructive1
& pr(it by _! su/a9+1 influ5ce2 9 :i*
case if x %\ld give rise to a m compet5t
v>iety 7,c71 ?is w take its place &
become a new species2 & ?us1 by natural
selection1 ! species ,b & ,c w be
successively d]iv$ f ,a4 ,t ?is mo/
+5i\s hypo!sis enables u to give a
reason = _m app>5t anomalies 9 !
di/ribution ( liv+ be+s 9 "t & space1 &
t x is n contradict$ by ! ma9 ph5om5a (
life & organization appe> to u to be
unque/ionable2 & s f> x mu/ be admitt$
to h an imm5se advantage ov] any ( its
pr$ecessors4 ,b x is q ano!r matt] to
affirm absolutely ei!r ! tru? or
falsehood ( ,mr4 ,d>w9's views at !
pres5t /age ( ! inquiry4 ,goe! has an
excell5t aphorism def9+ t /ate ( m9d
:i* he calls ,?tige ,skepsis--active
d\bt4 ,x is d\bt :i* s loves tru? t x
nei!r d>es re/ 9 d\bt+1 nor ext+ui%
itself by unju/ifi$ belief2 & we comm5d
?is /ate ( m9d to /ud5ts ( species1 )
respect to ,mr4 ,d>w9's or any o!r
hypo!sis1 z to _! orig94 ,! comb9$
inve/igations ( ano!r #bj ye>s may1
p]haps1 enable naturali/s to say :e!r !
modify+ causes & ! selective p[]1 :i*
,mr4 ,d>w9 has satisfactorily %[n to
exi/ 9 nature1 are compet5t to produce
all ! effects he ascribes to !m1 or
:e!r1 on ! o!r h&1 he has be5 l$ to
ov]-e/imate ! value ( 8 pr9ciple (
natural selection1 z greatly z ,lam>ck
ov]e/imat$ 8 v]a causa ( modification by
ex]cise4 ,b !re is1 at all ev5ts1
"o advantage possess$ by ! m rec5t
writ] ov] 8 pr$ecessor4 ,mr4 ,d>w9
abhors m]e speculation z nature abhors
a vacuum4 ,he is z gre$y ( cases &
prec$5ts z any con/itutional lawy]1 &
all ! pr9ciples he lays d[n are capable
( be+ br\ght to ! te/ ( obs]vation &
exp]im5t4 ,! pa? he bids u foll[
pr(esses to be1 n a m]e airy track1
fabricat$ ( ideal cobwebs1 b a solid &
broad bridge ( facts4 ,if x be s1 x w
c>ry u safely ov] _m a *asm 9 our k1 &
lead u to a region free f ! sn>es ( ^?
fasc9at+ b b>r5 ,virg9s1 ! ,f9al
,causes1 aga9/ :om a high au?ority has s
ju/ly w>n$ u4 8,my sons1 dig 9 !
v9ey>d10 7 ! la/ words ( ! old man 9 !
fable2 &1 ?\gh ! sons f\nd no treasure1
!y made _! =tunes by ! grapes4 99
,times1 ,decemb] #bf?1 #ahej4