Ulteriori informazioni
Informationen zum Autor Charles Robert Darwin, (12 February 1809 - 19 April 1882) was an English naturalist, geologist and biologist, best known for his contributions to the science of evolution. His proposition that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors is now widely accepted, and considered a foundational concept in science. In a joint publication with Alfred Russel Wallace, he introduced his scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection, in which the struggle for existence has a similar effect to the artificial selection involved in selective breeding. Darwin's early interest in nature led him to neglect his medical education at the University of Edinburgh; instead, he helped to investigate marine invertebrates. Studies at the University of Cambridge (Christ's College) encouraged his passion for natural science. His five-year voyage on HMS Beagle established him as an eminent geologist whose observations and theories supported Charles Lyell's conception of gradual geological change, and publication of his journal of the voyage made him famous as a popular author.Puzzled by the geographical distribution of wildlife and fossils he collected on the voyage, Darwin began detailed investigations, and in 1838 conceived his theory of natural selection. Although he discussed his ideas with several naturalists, he needed time for extensive research and his geological work had priority. He was writing up his theory in 1858 when Alfred Russel Wallace sent him an essay that described the same idea, prompting immediate joint publication of both of their theories. Darwin's work established evolutionary descent with modification as the dominant scientific explanation of diversification in nature. Darwin has been described as one of the most influential figures in human history, and he was honoured by burial in Westminster Abbey. Klappentext A key text in the development of Darwin's thought and an early defence of natural selection against theories of design. Zusammenfassung The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication (1868)! Volume 2! is concerned with how species inherit particular characteristics. Here Darwin unpacked his 'provisional hypothesis' of pangenesis and defended his theories of natural selection against those of evolution by design: the first arguments in a long debate still hot today. Inhaltsverzeichnis 12. Inheritance; 13. Inheritance continued: reversion or atavism; 14. Inheritance continued: fixedness of character, prepotency, sexual limitation; correspondence of age; 15. On crossing; 16. Causes which interfere with the free crossing of varieties, influence of domestication on fertility; 17. On the good effects of crossing, and on the evil effects of close interbreeding; 18. On the advantages and disadvantages of changed conditions of life: sterility form various causes; 19. Summary of the four last chapters, with remarks on hybridism; 20. Selection by man; 21. Selection continued; 22. Causes of variability; 23. Direct and definite action of the external conditions of life; 24. Laws of variation, use and disuse, etc.; 25. Laws of variation continued, correlated variability; 26. Laws of variation continued, summary; 27. Provisional hypothesis of pangenesis; 28. Concluding remarks; Index....
