Charles Darwin: The Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection

CHAPTER XIII. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION--continued. 4. ON THE RELATIONS OF THE INHABITANTS OF ISLANDS TO THOSE OF THE NEAREST MAINLAND. (continued)

We should bear in mind that many genera in all classes are of ancient origin, and the species in this case will have had ample time for dispersal and subsequent modification. There is also reason to believe, from geological evidence, that within each great class the lower organisms change at a slower rate than the higher; consequently they will have had a better chance of ranging widely and of still retaining the same specific character. This fact, together with that of the seeds and eggs of most lowly organised forms being very minute and better fitted for distant transportal, probably accounts for a law which has long been observed, and which has lately been discussed by Alph. de Candolle in regard to plants, namely, that the lower any group of organisms stands the more widely it ranges.

The relations just discussed--namely, lower organisms ranging more widely than the higher--some of the species of widely-ranging genera themselves ranging widely--such facts, as alpine, lacustrine, and marsh productions being generally related to those which live on the surrounding low lands and dry lands--the striking relationship between the inhabitants of islands and those of the nearest mainland--the still closer relationship of the distinct inhabitants of the islands of the same archipelago--are inexplicable on the ordinary view of the independent creation of each species, but are explicable if we admit colonisation from the nearest or readiest source, together with the subsequent adaptation of the colonists to their new homes.