# Mr. E. Ray Lankester — The Origin of Species character guide

> Mr. E. Ray Lankester in The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mr. E. Ray Lankester, Mr. Lankester

**First appearance:** 0097-xiv-mutual-affinities-of-organic-beings-morphology-embryology-rudimentary-organs-classification

## Who they are

A zoologist who studied comparative anatomy and evolution.

## In the story

### [VII: Miscellaneous Objections to the Theory of Natural Selection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se/chapters/vii-miscellaneous-objections-to-the-theory-of-natural-selection)

Lankester's discussion on longevity and its relation to the scale of organization and natural selection is noted.

### [Morphology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se/chapters/morphology)

Cited for his paper distinguishing homogenous (descent-based) from homoplastic (independently developed) structures, using the hearts of birds and mammals as an example.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se/characters/ray_lankester
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- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se/characters