50 INTRODUCTION. 
why ? We know that the full restoration of the original characters 
of the “species” may often be prevented by carefully breeding or 
seed-saving from select examples of the variety ; destroying or 
letting die out those individuals that are tending back towards the 
orizinal form. And so long as this careful selection of parents is 
continued, whether among animals or plants, an apparent (but, 
still, only an artificial or humanly-dependent) character of per- 
manence is given to the variety. We know also that, by this 
careful selection of parents, the peculiarities may be increased in 
their descendants; either some given peculiarity may become 
stronger, or other divergent peculiarities may be superadded 
thereto. Is there any analogous selection in nature, ceaselessly in 
operation, especially tending to the increase and conservation of 
varieties, and eventually allowing or causing the ancestral species 
to become extinct as itself, and to be represented by descendants 
specifically changed ? 
The Darwinian theory asserts that a like process is always 
operative in nature; but it is one not truly identical in action, 
though supposed to be analogous in its effect. Mankind yolun- 
tarily and designedly select the varieties to be conserved, from 
those which are to be lost by neglect or purposely destroyed. In 
this respect, Man is declared to be simply an imitator of Nature, 
in a small way and with few species, for his own purposes or 
advantage. But always, as well now as through epochs long past, 
Nature is declared to have been selecting fresh varieties of 
animals and plants to be conserved, and further varied, and 
re-varied to any extent. What is the “ Nature” which has thus 
selectel, and is still selecting? The Will of the Creator 
primarily, beyond question, but immediately acting on the animals 
and plants through the secondary instrumentality of all those 
external circumstances or conditions, to which they are indi- 
vidually subjected, and by which they are affected in health, 
existence, fertility, etc. Thus, the external circumstances may be 
said to conserve the varieties best adapted to themselves, and 
gradually to destroy or let perish those which are less so adapted ; 
the ratio of increase by sced (in plants) allowing great numbers of 
