The Origin of Species introduced the scientific theory that populations evolve over the course of generations through a process of natural selection. It presented a body of evidence that the diversity of life arose by common descent through a branching pattern of evolution.

Contents:

Variation Under Domestication

Variation Under Nature

Struggle for Existence

Natural Selection

Laws of Variation

Difficulties on Theory

Instinct

Hybridism

On the Imperfection of the Geological Record.

On the Geological Succession of Organic Beings

Geographical Distribution

Mutual Affinities of Organic Beings: Morphology

Recapitulation and Conclusion