266 DARWINIANISM. 



four numbers. So far the whole question, consequently, 

 is of the struggle for existence as a principle in nature 

 that breeds species. This struggle, as yet, is the only 

 agent that it is given us to see actually at work ; and it 

 is the success of the action that determines the character 

 of the work. What succeeds, namely, are favourable 

 variations, and what fails, unfavourable ones. The latter, 

 consequently, are in the end weeded out, while the 

 former are selected for advance. But this advance is 

 growth of advantage ; and as advantages accumulate 

 in an organism, there is in the species a necessary 

 change. 



Now, this is no proof of the fact of modification. 

 Taking the fact for granted, it is only a proposal to 

 explain it. But does it do so ? It is a mere feather 

 in the air. How do you think the modification happens? 

 Why the best fitted to live, do live ; and as they con- 

 tinue to live, they can only improve improve into 

 higher species ! But is that so certain ? Cannot they 

 continue to live, continue so far to improve even, with- 

 out being transmuted into a new species ? Even grant- 

 ing the struggle for existence and the consequent success 

 of the ablest, where is the necessity of the transfigura- 

 tion of these ? Mr. Darwin will not hear of conditions. 

 Now, unless the struggle is conceived to be one only of 

 individual strength, it is really on conditions that the 

 nature of the result will depend. The advantage will be 

 to the hairy coat in the cold, to such and such claws in 

 digging, to the prehensile tail for climbing, to the long- 

 sighted for seeing, the quick-eared for hearing, the 

 swiftest for running, and to such as can live, like certain 

 worms described by Mr. Darwin, amid sulphates of lime 

 and nitrates of soda ! Nay, even elements of destruction 

 can become elements of preservation, as the pike may be 

 made a scavenger of life to the trout, devouring out of 



