The Origin of Species is a seminal work by the renowned naturalist Charles Darwin, first published in 1859. The book presents the theory of evolution by natural selection, which suggests that species evolve over time through a process of adaptation to their environment. Darwin's ideas challenged prevailing beliefs about the origins of life and the diversity of species, and sparked a revolution in scientific thought that continues to this day.This edition of The Origin of Species is part of the Harvard Classics series, a collection of classic works of literature, philosophy, and science selected by Harvard University president Charles Eliot in the early 20th century. The volume includes a comprehensive introduction by Harvard professor Asa Gray, who was a close friend and correspondent of Darwin's, as well as an index and notes.The Origin of Species remains one of the most influential and widely read scientific works of all time, and is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of science, the development of evolutionary theory, or the nature of life itself.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.