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Hereafter we shall be compelled to acknowledge that the only distinction between species and well-marked varieties is, that the latter are known, or believed to be connected at the present day by intermediate gradations whereas species were formerly thus connected.
Charles Darwin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote highlights the blurred lines between species and varieties, emphasizing the importance of intermediate forms in evolutionary biology.

In this quote, Charles Darwin conveys the idea that the differences between species and well-defined varieties are not absolute but rather based on the current understanding of their evolutionary connections. He suggests that species were once considered connected by gradations, similar to how we see varieties today, indicating that our classification systems are informed by our knowledge of evolutionary relationships.

Themes

EvolutionSpeciesVarietiesGradationsBiology

In practice

Example use cases

In a biology lecture discussing evolution and species classification.

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I have called this principle, by which each slight variation, if useful, is preserved, by the term of Natural Selection.
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we are always slow in admitting any great change of which we do not see the intermediate steps
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