It's a Variety! It's a Species! Itttt's Natural Selection! (Chapters 2 and 3)

Chapter 2 "Variation Under Nature" begins:

"Before applying this principles arrived at in the last chapter to organic beings in a state of nature, we must briefly discuss whether these latter are subject to any variation" (44).

Conclusion: They are.

In chapter 2, Darwin discusses the differences between variations and species, and gets essentially no where. To be fair, he does mention that varieties are known to be able to interbreed while species cannot (49), but there are always exceptions to the rule, blurring the line.

While Darwin uses the terms "variety" and "species", he also says, "The terms variety, in comparison with mere individual differences, is also applied arbitrarily, and for mere convenience sake" (52). I love this quote because it shows Darwin's ability to put himself in rank with other scientists and naturalists, while simultaneously insulting them. At the same time, this quote sums up his point that it is hard to distinguish varieties from species and the labels often get confused.

Chapter 3 "Struggle for Existence"

Darwin goes 'all-out' in this chapter. The chapter is full of descriptions of Nature and its power, and Darwin emphasizes it all with metaphors, pretty words, and cheesy sentences.

Page 61 - "We see beautiful adaptations everywhere and in every part of the organic world."

AND

"Natural Selection, as we shall hereafter see, is a power incessantly ready for action,and is as immeasurably superior to man's feeble efforts, as the works of Nature are to those of Art." (No offense to painters, sculptors, musicians, etc.)

But he is not always nice about Nature; sometimes its power is more ominous:

"We behold the face of nature bright with gladness, we often see superabundance of food...we forget how largely these songsters, or their eggs, or their nestlings, are destroyed by birds and beasts of prey" (62).

Or sometimes he is more literary and confusingly metaphorical:

"The face of Nature may be compared to a yielding surface, with ten thousand sharp wedges packed close together and driven inwards by incessant blows, sometimes one wedge being struck, and then another with a greater force" (67).

I've polled my family members and peers and the clearest interpretation of this metaphor that I've heard is that, in nature, when one "wedge" is hit, it always effects another "wedge". That is, everything is connected and all organisms impact each other. In the context of the chapter, in which Darwin elaborates on a few checks in nature (means by which organisms keep the population of other organisms down), this interpretation seemed fitting. Make of it what you will. And feel free to comment with additional interpretations!

I would have to say, however, that my all-time favorite sentence in On the Origin of Species occurs at the very end of this chapter. The last sentence! In fact, I like it so much, I think I will have to end this post immediately after quoting it, just for the sake of impact. Then, I'll immediately post another one explaining it (and more!):

"When we reflect on this struggle, we may console ourselves with the full belief, that the war of nature is not incessant, that no fear is felt, that death is generally prompt, and that the vigorous, the healthy, and the happy survive and multiply" (79).