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i THE DARWINIAN HYPOTHESIS 17 
_of divergence from the primitive stock is reached. 
Jt is then found that by continuing the process of 
_selection—always breeding, that is, from well- 
-marked forms, and allowing no impure crosses to 
_interfere—a race may be formed, the tendency of 
which to reproduce itself is exceedingly strong 
nor is the limit to the amount of divergence wish 
may be thus produced known; but one thing is 
certain, that, if certain breeds of dogs, or of pigeons, 
or of horses, were known only in a fossil state, no 
naturalist would hesitate in regarding them as 
distinct species. 
But in all these cases we have human interfer- 
ence. Without the breeder there would be no 
selection, and without the selection no race. 
Before admitting the bossubality of natural species 
having originated in_any similar_way, it must be 
proved that there is in male fome power aie 
takes the place of man, and 
sud sponte. It is the claim of Mr. Darwin that he 
professes to have discovered the existence and the 
modus operand: of this “natural selection,” as he y 
terms it; and, if he be right, the process is per- 
fectly simple and comprehensible, and irresistibly 
deducible from very familiar but well nigh for- 
gotten facts. 
Who, for instance, has duly reflected upon all 
the consequences of the marvellous struggle for 
existence which is daily and hourly going on 
among living beings? Not only does every animal 
VOL. II Cc 
