The Origin of Species is a groundbreaking book written by Charles Darwin that explores the theory of evolution and natural selection. This volume, V11 of the Harvard Classics, contains the complete text of the first edition of the book, which was published in 1859. In it, Darwin presents his observations and evidence for the idea that all species of organisms have descended over time from common ancestors through the process of natural selection. He discusses the ways in which environmental factors and competition for resources can lead to the survival of certain traits and the extinction of others. Darwin's ideas have had a profound impact on the fields of biology, anthropology, and philosophy, and continue to be debated and studied to this day. This edition includes an introduction by Harvard professor Asa Gray, who was a contemporary of Darwin and an early proponent of his ideas.1909. Contents: Editor's Introduction; Historical Sketch; Variation Under Domestication; Variation Under Nature; Struggle for Existence; Natural Selection or the Survival of the Fittest; Laws of Variation; Difficulties of the Theory; Miscellaneous Objections to the Theory of Natural Selection; Instinct; Hybridism; On the Imperfections of the Geological Record; On the Geological Succession of Organic Beings; Geographical Distribution; Mutual Affinities of Organic Beings; Recapitulation and Conclusion.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.