24 DARWIN'S THEORY. 



intercrossing with them. Further: even if the "tend- 

 ency to vary" held its own, the species would probably 

 go on varying in one, only, line of growth. All the 

 features which now distinguish the different varieties, 

 would be suffered to develop themselves in each and 

 every variety, or individual ; and no diversity of char- 

 acter, such as is requisite to explain the great diversity 

 of forms under nature, would be displayed ; as it now 

 is, through means of Man's selection. Darwin requires 

 such divergence of character, in order to prove the 

 evolution of distinct species, one from another. Con- 

 vergence of character, however, would result, in the 

 absence of Selection; and the only effect of development 

 would be to produce, simply, a graduated series of 

 developments, from his first primordial form. When, 

 however, under domestication, each new character is 

 developed, it is allotted by the breeder or fancier, to a 

 certain variety, of which it is to form the distinguishing 

 characteristic. In each variety, therefore, especial and 

 exclusive attention is given to the development of the 

 character which constitutes the peculiarity, and the 

 other features which appear, are made to form the 

 peculiarities of the other varieties. In this way, by 

 not suffering all the characters which may arise, to be- 

 come developed in every individual or variety, but by 

 apportioning these characters among the several varie- 

 ties of the species, is the required divergence of char- 

 acter effected; and, thus, each variety becomes (as Dar- 

 win fancies), a point of divergence, from which similar, 

 multiplied divergences will also arise, from increased va- 

 riations, which again will be apportioned or distributed. 



