1U5 THE GENESIS OF SPECIES. [Chap. 



" the hiost probable nature, or way of operation of the 

 secondary hiw, whereby species have been derived one 

 from the other." ^ 



Now, considering tlio number of instances adduced of 

 sudden modifications in domestic animals, it is somewhat 

 startling to meet witli 'Mv. Darwin's positive assertion that 

 it is " a false belief" that natural si)ecies have often origi- 

 nated in the same abrupt manner. The l)elief intft/ be false, 

 but it is ditticult to see how its falsehood can be positively 

 asserted. 



It is demonstrated by Mr. Darwin's careful weighings 

 and measurements, that, though little used parts in 

 domestic animals ^et reduced in weidit and somewhat 

 in size, yet that they show no inclination to become truly 

 " rudimentary structures." Accordingly, he asserts,^ that 

 such rudimentary parts are formed " suddenly, by arrest 

 of development " in domesticated animals, but in wild 

 animals slowly. The latter assertion liowever is a nwrc 

 asisertion ; necessary perhaps for tlie theory of " Natural 

 Selection," but as yet improved by facts. 



I>ut why should not these changes take place suddenly 

 \\\ a state of nature? As Mr. ^Iuri)hy says :^ "It may be 

 true that we have no evidence of the origin of wild species 

 in this way. But this is not a case in whicli negative 

 evidence proves any tiling. We have never witnessed the 

 origin of a wild species by any process whatever ; and if 

 a species were to come suddenly into being in the wild 

 state, as the Ancon Slice]* did under domestication, how 

 could you ascertain the fact ? If the first of a newly- 



1 "Anatoray of V^rtcbratt's," vol. iii. p. 807. 



- ** Animals aiid Plants uikIpi- Domestication, '* vol. ii. ]>. 318. 



3 "Habitand Intflligi'nce,"'vol. i. J.. 344. 



