In the first chapter Darwin builds his case for the origin of species by starting with familiar, observable changes brought about by breeding domestic animals. Darwin recognized that the variation inherent in all living things was the key to these changes, and discussed selection as the mechanism of for producing new breeds. Darwin himself took up the popular Victorian hobby of pigeon breeding to test his ideas, and in this chapter he traces the history of pigeon breeding from 3000 B.C., giving credit to Chinese and Romans for recognizing the importance of selection. In summary Darwin wrote, “Over all these causes of Change I am convinced that the accumulative action of Selection, whether applied methodically and more quickly, or unconsciously and more slowly, but more efficiently, is by far the predominant Power.”
Read the Origin online at http://darwin-online.org.uk/EditorialIntroductions/Freeman_OntheOriginofSpecies.html
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