The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection: The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to SexThe work is divided into two parts. Part One marshals behavioral and morphological evidence to argue that humans evolved from other animals. Darwin shoes that human mental and emotional capacities, far from making human beings unique, are evidence of an animal origin and evolutionary development. Part Two is an extended discussion of the differences between the sexes of many species and how they arose as a result of selection. Here Darwin lays the foundation for much contemporary research by arguing that many characteristics of animals have evolved not in response to the selective pressures exerted by their physical and biological environment, but rather to confer an advantage in sexual competition. These two themes are drawn together in two final chapters on the role of sexual selection in humans. |
Contents
THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES Page | 1 |
Causes of variability Effects of habit and the use or tures variable Parts developed in an unusual manner are highly variable specific characters more ... | 12 |
Variability Individual differences Doubtful species tion Cases of difficulty Natura non facit saltum | 30 |
Copyright | |
9 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
the origin of species by means of natural selection the descent of man and ... charles darwin No preview available - 1952 |
Common terms and phrases
adapted affinities America ancient appear beak become bees believe belonging birds breeds cause cells characters cies climate closely allied colour common continent crossed crustaceans degree developed difficulty distinct species domestic doubt eggs embryo existing extinct extremely fact favourable female fertilised fertility fishes flowers formation forms fossil Fritz Müller genera genus geological Glacial period gradations greater number habits Hence hybrids hybrids produced important individuals inhabitants inherited insects instance instincts intercrossing intermediate kind lamellæ larvæ less living male mammæ mammals manner marsupials migration Mivart modified descendants natural selection naturalists nearly nest occasionally offspring organisation organs parent peculiar perfect pigeon pistil pollen present principle probably produced progenitor quadrupeds races ranked reciprocal crosses relation remarked resemblance rudimentary seeds sexual sexual selection slight South America stamens sterility structure supposed tend theory tion variability variations varieties vary whilst whole widely wings young