The Foundations of the Origin of Species

«Note in the original.» There are varieties of asparagus.

218

In Chapter II of the first edition of the Origin Darwin insists rather on the presence of variability in a state of nature; see, for instance, p. 45, Ed. vi. p. 53, “I am convinced that the most experienced naturalist would be surprised at the number of the cases of variability … which he could collect on good authority, as I have collected, during a course of years.”

219

See Origin, Ed. i. p. 44, vi. p. 52.

220

«Note in the original.» Here discuss what is a species, sterility can most rarely be told when crossed. – Descent from common stock.

221

«Note in the original.» Give only rule: chain of intermediate forms, and analogy; this important. Every Naturalist at first when he gets hold of new variable type is quite puzzled to know what to think species and what variations.

222

The author had not at this time the knowledge of the meaning of dimorphism.

223

«Note in original.» Compare feathered heads in very different birds with spines in Echidna and Hedgehog. «In Variation under Domestication, Ed. ii. vol. II. p. 317, Darwin calls attention to laced and frizzled breeds occurring in both fowls and pigeons. In the same way a peculiar form of covering occurs in Echidna and the hedgehog.»

Plants under very different climate not varying. Digitalis shows jumps «?» in variation, like Laburnum and Orchis case – in fact hostile cases. Variability of sexual characters alike in domestic and wild.

224

A corresponding passage occurs in Origin, Ed. i. p. 83, vi. p. 101, where however Nature takes the place of the selecting Being.

225

The mistletoe is used as an illustration in Origin, Ed. i. p. 3, vi. p. 3, but with less detail.

226

«Note in original.» The selection, in cases where adult lives only few hours as Ephemera, must fall on larva – curious speculation of the effect «which» changes in it would bring in parent.

227

This section forms part of the joint paper by Darwin and Wallace read before the Linnean Society on July 1, 1858.

228

Occurs in Origin, Ed. i. p. 64, vi. p. 79.

229

Corresponds approximately with Origin, Ed. i. pp. 64-65, vi. p. 80.

230

This simile occurs in Origin, Ed. i. p. 67, not in the later editions.

231

«Note in the original.» In case like mistletoe, it may be asked why not more species, no other species interferes; answer almost sufficient, same causes which check the multiplication of individuals.

232

See Origin, Ed. i. pp. 104, 292, vi. pp. 127, 429.

233

Recognition of the importance of minute differences in the struggle occurs in the Essay of 1842, p. 8 note 3 (#cn_58).

234

See Origin, Ed. i. p. 90, vi. p. 110.

235

These two forms of sexual selection are given in Origin, Ed. i. p. 87, vi. p. 107. The Guiana rock-thrush is given as an example of bloodless competition.

236

«Note in original.» Seals? Pennant about battles of seals.

237

In the Linnean paper of July 1, 1858 the final word is mate: but the context shows that it should be male; it is moreover clearly so written in the MS.

238

In the Origin the author would here have used the word variety.

239

The whole of p. 94 and 15 lines of p. 95 are, in the MS., marked through in pencil with vertical lines, beginning at “Races produced, &c.” and ending with “to these conditions.”

240

See Origin, Ed. i. p. 83, vi. p. 102.

241

In the present Essay there is some evidence that the author attributed more to sports than was afterwards the case: but the above passage points the other way. It must always be remembered that many of the minute differences, now considered small mutations, are the small variations on which Darwin conceived selection to act.