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sense of virtue, he must have been created for it by some 

 antecedent. Well ; but there was no such, and therefore it is all 

 the result of the " sequence of events," just like all the rest of 

 the changes that have come to the various animals. It follows, 

 therefore, on my theory, entre nous, that virtuous men must have 

 " exterminated " all who were not so lucky as to be virtuous. 

 About this there can be no manner of doubt. 



I believe that all such creatures have universally tended to rise 

 in the scale of beings. You may indeed say, if so, how is it that 

 such vast multitudes of the lowest forms of all still exist? 

 Perhaps you think this is fatal to my theory. It is not that is 

 all I have to say on the subject. Don't tell me it is a figment of 

 my own brain. Even suppose it was, it would be none the worse 

 for that. 



I believe though it flatly contradicts my belief, that it was not 

 necessary for all the lower forms to be advanced, for " what 

 advantage " would it be to the lowest forms to be advanced ? 

 Very true, you say ; and you tell me to use the same argument 

 in the case of my bears, ostriches, logger-headed ducks, and all 

 the rest of them. You ask me ; how, you say, can we tell that 

 it would be an advantage to any of them to be changed ? That 

 is a captious question, and you need not expect any answer to it 

 from me. How can I tell you, when I don't know myself ? 



I believe, have I not told you before, that all animals have 

 been changed by some accidental benefits ; but if you ask me to 

 point to any existing animal, and say how it could be benefited 

 by some change, that is quite another question, and one with 

 which I do not consider I have anything to do. You tell me 

 that it would be no advantage to a swallow to be changed into a 

 snail, nor to an antelope to be transmuted into a frog. Perhaps 

 not ; tell me what you like ; I tell you what I have just told 

 you. It's one of my " Tales of my grandmother." 



I believe, for I have said it, that many a one of even the 

 lowest animals in the scale, has a " really wondrous and 

 beautiful organisation," and you say, that if so, you do not see 

 how it can be improved. Say so. You may add, why can't they 

 let well alone? That is for them to say, not me. 



