I propose to briefly review the progress of opinion as to the origin of species. Until recently, most naturalists believed that species are immutable productions created separately. Many scholars have ably supported this hypothesis. Some others, however, admitted that species experiencing changes and current forms are descended from pre-existing forms through regular generation. Leaving aside the allusions found in this respect in the ancient authors, [Aristotle in his Physics Auscultationes (Lib. II, cap. VIII, § 2) after have noticed that rain does not fall to grow more wheat than it falls for Avaria when the farmer beats the outdoors, the same argument applies to organizations and adds (Mr. Clair Greece I first reported this way): "Why the different parts (the body) does Would they not in the purely accidental nature of these reports? Teeth, for example, necessarily grow sharp on the front of the mouth to divide the food, flat molars used for chewing, yet they were not made for that purpose, and this form is the result of an accident. It is the same for other parts that seem appropriate for a goal. Everywhere, therefore, all things together (that is to say all parts of a whole) were formed as if they were made for something, they fashioned an appropriate manner by an internal spontaneity are preserved, while, otherwise, they died and perished yet. We find here an outline of the principles of natural selection, but observations on the conformation of the teeth indicate how little Aristotle understood these principles.] Buffon is the first in modern times has treated this subject essentially scientific point of view. However, such opinions have varied greatly at different times, and that does not address the causes nor the means to transform the present case it is unnecessary to go into more detail on its work. Charles Darwin - The Origin of Species
(On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, Or The Preservation of Favoured races in the Struggle for Life)
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