The Origin of Species - Charles
Darwin
WHEN on board H.
M.
S.
Beagle, as naturalist, I was much struck with certain
facts in the distribution of the inhabitants of South America, and in the
geological relations of the present to the past inhabitants...
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The Origin of Species - Charles
Darwin
WHEN on board H.
M.
S.
Beagle, as naturalist, I was much struck with certain
facts in the distribution of the inhabitants of South America, and in the
geological relations of the present to the past inhabitants of that continent.
These facts seemed to me to throw some light on the origin of species — that
mystery of mysteries, as it has been called by one of our greatest
philosophers.
On my return home, it occurred to me, in 1837, that something
might perhaps be made out on this question by patiently accumulating and
reflecting on all sorts of facts which could possibly have any bearing on it.
After five years work I allowed myself to speculate on the subject, and drew up
some short notes; these I enlarged in 1844 into a sketch of the conclusions,
which then seemed to me probable: from that period to the present day I have
steadily pursued the same object.
I hope that I may be excused for entering on
these personal detai
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