The foundations of The origin of species : a sketch written in 1842 / edited by Francis Darwin.
- Charles Darwin
- Date:
- 1909
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The foundations of The origin of species : a sketch written in 1842 / edited by Francis Darwin. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![and showed signs of common descent, and yet were created distinct. As long as it was thought im¬ possible that organisms should vary, or should any¬ how become adapted to other organisms in a com¬ plicated manner, and yet be separated from them by an impassable barrier of sterility1, it was justifiable, even with some appearance in favour of a common descent, to admit distinct creation according to the will of an Omniscient Creator; or, for it is the same thing, to say with Whewell that the beginnings of all things surpass the comprehension of man. In the former sections I have endeavoured to show that such variation or specification is not impossible, nay, in many points of view is absolutely probable. What then is the evidence in favour of it and what the evidence against it. With our imperfect knowledge of past ages [surely there will be some] it would be strange if the imperfection did not create some unfavourable evidence. Give sketch of the Past,—beginning with facts appearing hostile under present knowledge,—then proceed to geograph, distribution,—order of appear¬ ance,—affinities,—morphology &c., &c. Our theory requires a very gradual introduction of new forms2 3, and extermination of the old (to which we shall revert). The extermination of old may sometimes be rapid, but never the introduction. In the groups descended from common parent, our theory requires a perfect gradation not differing more than breed(s) of cattle, or potatoes, or cabbages in forms. I do not mean that a graduated series of animals must have existed, intermediate between horse, mouse, tapir2, elephant [or fowl and peacock], 1 A similar passage occurs in the conclusion of the Origin, Ed. i. p. 481, vi. p. 659. * See Origin, Ed. i. p. 312, vi. p. 453. 3 See Origin, Ed. i. pp. 280, 281, vi. p. 414. The author uses his experience of pigeons for examples for what he means by intermediate ; the instance of the horse and tapir also occurs.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b31351761_0057.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
