The Various Contrivances by Which Orchids are Fertilised by Insects - Softcover

Darwin, Professor Charles

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1410207056 ISBN 13: 9781410207050

Publisher: University Press of the Pacific, 2003

Synopsis

"The object of the following work is to show that the contrivances by which Orchids are fertilised, are as varied and almost as perfect as any of the most beautiful adaptations in the animal kingdom; and, secondly, to show that these contrivances have for their main object the fertilisation of each flower. In my volume 'On the Origin of Species' I have given only general reasons for my belief that it is apparently a universal law of nature that organic beings require an occasional cross with another individual; or, which is almost the same thing, that no hermaphrodite fertilises itself for a perpetuity of generations. Having been blamed for propounding this doctrine without giving ample facts, for which I had not, in that work, sufficient space, I wish to show that I have not spoken without having gone into details." - Charles Darwin Asa Gray is quoted as saying, "if the Orchid-book (with a few trifling omissions) had appeared before the 'Origin' the author would have been canonised rather than anathematised by the natural theologians."

About this title

About the Author

Charles Darwin was an English naturalist and author best-known for his revolutionary theories on the origin of species, human evolution, and natural selection. A life-long interest in the natural world led Darwin to neglect his medical studies and instead embark on a five-year scientific voyage on the HMS Beagle, where he established his reputation as a geologist and gathered much of the evidence that fuelled his later theories.A prolific writer, Darwin s most famous published works include The Voyage of the Beagle, On the Origin of Species, The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, and The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals. Darwin died in 1882, and in recognition of his contributions to science, is buried in Westminster Abbey along with John Herschel and Isaac Newton.

Edition details

• Publisher: University Press of the Pacific
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1410207056
• ISBN 13: 9781410207050
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320