Classic Book Reader
Cover of On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection

On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection

by Charles Darwin (1809–1882)

  • Free to read
  • 10 hours to read
  • 29 chapters
  • Reading level: College-level

"On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection" by Charles Darwin is a work of scientific literature published in 1859. It introduced the theory that populations evolve through natural selection, with life's diversity arising from common descent through a branching pattern of evolution. Darwin presented evidence from his Beagle expedition and years of research to challenge the belief that species were unchanging. The book sparked intense scientific, philosophical, and religious debate, ultimately transforming our understanding of life and becoming the foundation of evolutionary biology.

Read free now No app, no sign-up. Your place is saved automatically. Or download for your e-reader ↓
  • Evolution (Biology)
  • Natural selection

Read the opening

Chapter I: Variation Under Domestication

Causes of Variability.
Effects of Habit.
Correlation of Growth.
Inheritance.
Character of Domestic Varieties.
Difficulty of distinguishing between Varieties and Species.
Origin of Domestic Varieties from one or more Species.
Domestic Pigeons, their Differences and Origin.
Principle of Selection anciently followed, its Effects.
Methodical and Unconscious Selection.
Unknown Origin of our Domestic Productions.
Circumstances favourable to Man’s power of Selection.

Keep reading On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection →

Contents

Show all 29 chapters
  1. Front Matter
  2. Chapter I: Variation Under Domestication
  3. Chapter 2: Variation Under Nature
  4. Chapter 3: Struggle for Existence
  5. Chapter 4: Natural Selection
  6. Chapter 5: Laws of Variation
  7. Chapter 6: Difficulties on Theory
  8. Chapter 7: Instinct
  9. Chapter 8: Hybridism
  10. Chapter 9: On the Imperfection of the Geological Record
  11. Chapter 10: On the Geological Succession of Organic Beings
  12. Chapter 11: Geographical Distribution
  13. Chapter 12: Geographical Distribution — continued
  14. Chapter 13: Mutual Affinities of Organic Beings: Morphology: Embryology: Rudimentary Organs
  15. Chapter 14: Recapitulation and Conclusion
  16. Introduction
  17. Chapter I: Variation Under Domestication
  18. Chapter II: Variation Under Nature
  19. Chapter III: Struggle for Existence
  20. Chapter IV: Natural Selection
  21. Chapter V: Laws of Variation
  22. Chapter VI: Difficulties on Theory
  23. Chapter VII: Instinct
  24. Chapter VIII: Hybridism
  25. Chapter IX: On the Imperfection of the Geological Record
  26. Chapter X: On the Geological Succession of Organic Beings
  27. Chapter XI: Geographical Distribution
  28. Chapter XII: Geographical Distribution — continued
  29. Chapter XIV: Recapitulation and Conclusion

Download for your e-reader

Files are provided by Project Gutenberg. On a Kindle, the simplest route is to send the EPUB with Amazon’s Send to Kindle. Downloaded copies don’t sync with your place on Classic Book Reader.

About this edition

This free edition of On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection by Charles Darwin comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #1228, released 1998-03-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Science - Biology.

Other editions: eBook #22764.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

More by Charles Darwin