The Making of Species 



the enemies are certainly sharp-sighted and 

 successful in pursuit, but that perfection in detail 

 makes their task a harder one, and gives to the 

 individuals possessing it in a higher degree than 

 others, increased chances of escape, and of be- 

 coming the parents of future generations." 

 (Essays on Evolution, p. 302.) 



This long quotation requires careful considera- 

 tion, since to us it appears to be typical of the 

 kind of reasoning resorted to by Neo- Darwinians. 



Note the reference to our " imperfect know- 

 ledge of the struggle for existence." This is 

 almost invariably the last refuge of the Neo- 

 Darwinian when worsted in argument. We 

 fully admit that there is still much to be learned 

 of the nature of the struggle for existence, but 

 such a statement sounds very curious when 

 uttered to those who pin their faith to the theory 

 which sees in the principle of natural selection 

 an explanation of all the phenomena of the or- 

 ganic world. Natural selection, be it remembered, 

 is but a name for the struggle for existence. 



" Birds," says Professor Poulton, " are the 

 chief enemies of insects." This may be so. 

 But we greatly doubt whether they are the 

 chief enemies of butterflies and moths, among 

 which the most perfect examples of mimicry are 

 supposed to occur. 



We have watched birds closely for some years, 

 but believe that we could almost count on our 



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