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What can be more curious than that the hand of a man…

“What can be more curious than that the hand of a man, formed for grasping, that of a mole for digging, the leg of the horse, the paddle of the porpoise, and the wing of the bat, should all be constructed on the same pattern?” quote by Charles Darwin
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“What can be more curious than that the hand of a man, formed for grasping, that of a mole for digging, the leg of the horse, the paddle of the porpoise, and the wing of the bat, should all be constructed on the same pattern?”

Charles Darwin

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Different animal limbs share a common structural pattern despite varied functions

In simple terms: Animal parts are built on a shared design

Key Takeaway

Recognize underlying unity in diversity

Themes

evolution biology design

Mood

inquisitive reflective

Type

scientific educational

When to use this quote

  • biology class
  • comparative anatomy
  • science communication

Key Concepts

homology adaptation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does this pattern support evolutionary theory?
  • What limits exist in comparing disparate species?
A Different Perspective

Complexity of evolution can be oversimplified

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