140 THE FALLACIES OP NATURAL SELECTION. 



that mere Selection, by itself, does hot argue any ad- 

 vance in development. If, he were told, that it was not 

 Man's agency which wrought the Selection ; but that 

 such Selection was effected through the extinction of 

 the weaker animals, by means of unfavorable condi- 

 tions to which all the animals were alike subjected, he 

 would doubtless guffaw most vulgarly, at the idea of 

 even the possibility of any advance being inferred from 

 Selection so occasioned. 



Advance in development is usually, or ordinarily, 

 implied by Man's Selection ; because, usually, or ordi- 

 narily, there is an advance in development, among the 

 select of animals, under domestication, owing to the 

 favorable conditions there generally prevailing. In 

 extending the idea of Selection to animals and plants, 

 under nature, Darwin has gratuitously carried, along 

 with such idea, this implication of an advance in 

 development, — an implication which arose, under do- 

 mestication, from the favorable conditions under which 

 the animals and plants are there placed. Before apply- 

 ing the idea of Selection, to animals and plants, under 

 domestication, it was known, that, with them, there 

 was advance in development ; and, even if it were not 

 known, as a fact, the favorable conditions, there gener- 

 ally prevailing, implied it. Before, however, Darwin 

 could be justified, in carrying, to the state of nature, 

 this implication, raised by the facts, and by the favor- 

 able conditions under domestication, it was neces- 

 sary that he should adduce full warrant for such impli- 

 cation of advance under nature. Proof was needed, 

 either, of the fact, or of favorable conditions. 



