Charles Darwin's Introduction


 ‘Natural Selection and Sexual Selection’ in The Descent of  Man by Charles Darwin  

About the Author: Charles Robert Darwin, FRS FRGS FLS FZS (born February 12, 1809, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England—died April 19, 1882, Downe, Kent),  was an English naturalist, geologist and biologist, famous for his contributions to the theory of evolution by natural selection. The English naturalist’s scientific theory of evolution by natural selection became the foundation of modern evolutionary studies. 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

Summary of the Introduction of ‘Natural Selection and Sexual Selection’ in The Descent of  Man
 Charles Darwin observed the distribution of the inhabitants of South America to scrutinize the geographical relations of the past and present inhabitants of the continent. To study the origin of those species, he accumulated data for five years since 1837. He expanded his knowledge on the subject by 1844 and came to a probable conclusion. He even included personal experiences to validate his hypothesis .It was mentioned by him that his research required a ,ascouple of years more to complete the  work was extensive. Due to his ill health, the research project has been delayed. Mr. Wallace, a naturalist, who studied the area of the Malay archipelago, came to similar conclusions as Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. On his request, Darwin contacted Charles Lyell, of the Linnean Society and Dr. Hooker, who decided to publish some extracts of Darwin’s manuscript along with Mr. Wallace’s memoir.
  The inference drawn in the abstract may be faulty. He draws a general conclusion and after analyzing the actual facts and references of his extensively collected data,although a different outcome is possible. Many naturalists helped them in this extensive project, like Dr. Hooker, who shared his knowledge with him for the last 15 years and others who didn’t even personally know him.
 After observing factors like resemblance among some species their embryological similarities, geographical domain and succession it can be deduced that no species was created independently. They developed from other species. Most species modified and perfected their structure for the purpose of adaptation .Most naturalists are of the opinion, that food, climate and other external factors are the reasons of the change. According to Darwin, this may be partially true. But such hasty conclusions should not be drawn from mere evaluation of the external conditions.
 Darwin gives the example of and wood pecker and misseltoe to make his point. The theory of co adaptation can’t be explained from such a simple logic. The author presumed that observing domesticated animals and cultivated plants would shed some light on the problem of understanding the procedure of modification and co adaptation. His method was successful, though not accurate and often rejected by other naturalists.
The first chapter will discuss the variations under domestication. Hereditary modification and the most favourable circumstances of variations will be charted out too, but due to limited data, it will be briefly done. In the next chapter, struggle for existence among creatures and organic beings in the world and consequent high geometrical powers of increase will be analyzed. Several species can be naturally selected to survive in this struggle of existence because the condition of life is more favourable for them. Thus , the selected species will beget its modified form.
In the fourth chapter is based on the natural selection procedure where how less improved lives extinct and the divergence of character appears will be discussed thoroughly. Laws of variation and correlation of growth will be discussed in the next chapter. In the subsequent chapters, difficulties of transition, and improvisation of simple being or organ for the sake of perfection, instinct and mental power of animals, hybridism and issue if fertility in the case of inter crossed species, and imperfection of geographical records will be analysed .A geographical succession of organic beings in chapter 11th ,12th their geographical distribution, classification and mutual affinities and embryo condition and mature state in 13th and recapitulation and conclusion of the work will be discussed in the last chapter.
In conclusion, the author says that no species were created independently. They originated from a species, and later developed,  and modified by means of natural selection.
                                                  

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