Auteur : Richard Owen, "Darwin on the origin of species", 1860.

Date et contexte : 1860

Extrait : We have cited these attempts to elucidate the nature of the organising forces, to show the prevalent condition of the most advanced physiological minds in regard to the cause of the successive introduction of distinct species of plants and animals. Demaillet invoked the operation of the external influences or conditions of life, with consentaneous volitional efforts, in order to raise species in the scale, as the fish, e.g., into the bird. ^[1] Buffon called in the same agency to lower the species by way of degeneration, as the bear, e.g., into the seal, and this into the whale. ^[2] Lamarck added to these outward influences the effects of increased or decreased use or action of parts.