Reactions to On the Origin of Species which all forms of evolutionism were identified with Darwinism. For a description of Darwin's life, work and influences in the following period see the article: Darwin from Orchids to Variation. Note: this article uses Desmond and Moore, "Darwin", as a general reference. Other references used for specific points or quotations. Reactions to On the Origin of Species The immediate reactions to "On the Origin of Species", the book in which Charles Darwin described evolution by natural selection, included international debate, though the heat of controversy was less than that over earlier works such as "Vestiges of Creation". Darwin monitored the
On the Origin of Species miles wide. His explanation was a combination of migration and descent with modification. He went on to say: "On this principle of inheritance with modification, we can understand how it is that sections of genera, whole genera, and even families are confined to the same areas, as is so commonly and notoriously the case." Darwin explained how a volcanic island formed a few hundred miles from a continent might be colonised by a few species from that continent. These species would become modified over time, but would still be related to species found on the continent, and Darwin observed that