302 ) 



CHAPTER X. 



SEXUAL SELECTION. 



&quot; Sexual selection is an hypothesis which neither has been nor can be 

 proved true, but the falsehood of which is demonstrated by a mass of 

 zoological data.&quot; 



THE hypothesis of &quot;natural selection&quot; having been found 

 sexual seiec- by its author unequal for the task he had as- 

 ceory n i]y C po- signed it, that of serving as the explanation of 

 specific origin, he subsequently brought forward to 

 its aid a subordinate hypothesis, which he termed &quot;sexual 

 selection.&quot; The present chapter will be devoted to the con 

 sideration of what lessons we can derive from nature as to 

 the existence and action of this process. 



In considering the Origin of Man, Mr. Darwin brings in his 

 addition of &quot; sexual selection&quot; to the aid of natural selection.&quot; 

 We need not here further consider the action of &quot; natural 

 selection ;&quot; but since Mr. Darwin is convinced that the action 

 of sexual selection &quot; is necessary to account for man s origin 

 and present condition, it will be necessary to consider &quot; sexual 

 selection&quot; at some length. It plays the most important part 

 in the descent of man,&quot; according to Mr. Darwin s views. He 

 maintains that we owe to it our power of song and our hair- 

 lessness of body, and that also to it is due the formation and 

 conservation of the various races and varieties of the human 

 species. Indeed &quot;sexual selection&quot; is now the corner-stone 

 of Mr. Darwin s theory. It occupies three-fourths of his 

 work on Man; and unless he has clearly established this 

 point, the whole fabric falls to the ground. It is impossible, 

 therefore, to estimate his views adequately without entering 

 fully into the subject. 



