Evolution and Wonder: Understanding Charles Darwin

About the Image

This elevation map of a coral reef island is a hand-drawn water-color sketch by Charles Darwin, date unknown.

+ (photo: Cambridge University Library)

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Transmutation Notebook E, Excised Page 122

(Reprinted with permission of Syndics of Cambridge University Library, DAR 20:122e)

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Image transcription ↑

The more I think, the more convinced I am, that extinction plays greater part then transmutation.— Do species migrate & die out.?— In the place where any species is most common, we need not look for change, because its number show it is perfectly adapted; it where few stray ones. are, that change may be anticipated, & this would look like fresh Creation. the gardener separates a plant he wishes to vary— domesticated animals tend to vary.[…]