1 6 The Descent of Man 



(grounding his inference on alleged phenomena in birds) 

 that sexual selection is reversed, and that in this case the 

 male selects. This hypothetical reversion of a hypothetical 

 process to meet an exceptional case will appear to many rash 

 indeed, when they reflect that as to teeth, whiskers, general 

 size, and superciliary ridges this monkey ' follows the com- 

 mon rule of the male excelling the female ' (vol. ii. p. 294). 



To turn now to the class on Avhich Mr. Darwin especially 

 relies, we shall find that even birds supply us with numerous 

 instances which conflict with his h3rpothesis. Thus, speaking 

 of the battling of male waders, our author tells us : — ' Two 

 were seen to be thus engaged for half an hour, until one got 

 hold of the head of the other, which would have been killed 

 had not the observer interfered ; the female all the time 

 looking on as a quiet spectator' (vol. ii. p. 41). As these 

 battles must take place generally in the absence of specta- 

 tors, their doubtless frequently fatal termination must 

 limit greatly the power of selection Mr. Darwin attributes 

 to the females. The same limit is certainly imposed in 

 the majority of Gallinaceous birds, the cocks of which fight 

 violently ; and there can be little doubt but that, as an almost 

 invariable rule, the victorious birds mate with the com- 

 paratively passive hens. 



Again, hoAv can we explain, on Mr. Darwin's hypothesis, 

 the existence of distinguishing male sexual marks, Avhere it 

 is the male and not the female bird which selects ? Yet the 

 wild turkey-cock, a distinguished bird enough, is said by Mr. 

 Darwin (vol. ii. p. 207) to be courted by the females ; and he 

 quotes (vol. ii. p. 120) Sir R. Heron as saying, 'that with 

 peafowl, the first advances are always made by the female.* 

 And of the capercailzie he says, ' the females flit round the 

 male while he is parading, and solicit his attention.' 



But though, of course, the sexual instinct always seeks 

 its gratification, does the female ever select a particular 



