Page - 58 - in The Origin of Species

CHAPTER II Variation Under Nature Variability—Individual differences—Doubtful species—Wide ranging, much diffused, and common species, vary most—Species of the larger genera in each country vary more frequently than the species of the smaller genera—Many of the species of the larger genera resemble varieties in being very closely, but unequally, related to each other, and in having restricted ranges. BEFORE applying the principles arrived at in the lastchapter to organic beings in a state of nature, we mustbriefly discuss whether these latter are subject to any variation. To treat this subject properly, a long catalogue of dry facts ought to be given ; but these I shall reserve for a future work. Nor shall I here discuss the various definitions which have been given of the term species. No one defini- tion has satisfied all naturalists; yet every naturalist knows vaguely what he means when he speaks of a species. Gen- erally the term includes the unknown element of a distinct act of creation. The term "variety" is almost equally diffi- cult to define ; but here community of descent is almost uni- versally implied, though it can rarely be proved. We have also what are called monstrosities ; but they graduate into varieties. By a monstrosity I presume is meant some consid- erable deviation of structure, generally injurious, or not use- ful to the species. Some authors use the term "variation" in a technical sense, as implying a modification directly due to the physical conditions of life; and "variations" in this sense are supposed not to be inherited; but who can say that the dwarfed condition of shells in the brackish waters of the Baltic, or dwarfed plants on Alpine summits, or the thicker fur of an animal from far northwards, would not in some cases be inherited for at least a few generations ? and in this case I presume that the form would be called a variety. It may be doubted whether sudden and considerable devi- 58