OBJECTIONS TO THE DARWINIAN THEORY 163 



The Alleged Uselessness of Small 

 Variations. 



This is an objection which has often been put 

 forward. Admitting that no two animals are abso- 

 lutely identical, it is urged that the differences are 

 in most cases too small and too trivial to have the 

 effect assigned to them ; namely, to determine between 

 survival or destruction. This is, however, a mis- 

 apprehension, for if four out of five are to die, 

 a very small matter may determine success or 

 failure. 



In a race for which there is but one prize, a 

 victory by a short head is, so far as securing the 

 prize is concerned, as conclusive as a win in a 

 canter. Again, the whole theory and practice of 

 the breeding of animals and plants afford absolute 

 proof of the importance of attention to minute details, 

 so slight as to escape the notice of all but the most 

 skilful observers. 



Think how in commerce a very small and subor- 

 dinate point may determine survival ; such as, for 

 instance, the use of bye-products resulting from cer- 

 tain chemical manufactures, which had previously 

 been neglected and regarded as waste products. 

 Think what small events have decided the fate of 

 battles and of nations. " The death of a man at a 

 critical juncture, his disgust, his retreat, his disgrace, 

 have brought innumerable calamities on a whole 

 nation. A common soldier, a child, a girl at the 

 door of an inn have changed the face of fortune and 

 almost of nature." 



