30 DARWINISM AND THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE 



life, the more important one which Darwin immortal- 

 ised his name by discovering. It takes place between 

 members of the same species, and consists less in an 

 active conflict with a recognised enemy than in an 

 unconscious effort at self- maintenance. In this struggle 

 the best equipped is the victor. Hence Herbert 

 Spencer's phrase, "the survival of the fittest," is 

 preferable to "the struggle for life." 



When the foxes in a particular locality are especially 

 menacing to the hares, the first of the latter to be 

 eaten are those that are slower than their companions, 

 or less able to perceive their enemies in time owing 

 to defective hearing or smell. The better equipped 

 hares survive longer, and so are able to bring a more 

 numerous progeny into the world. But since, as we 

 know, the parents transmit their qualities to their 

 offspring, the new generation of hares will be equally 

 conspicuous for speed and sharp senses, if it comes 

 entirely from the finer hares, if there are amongst 

 the new-comers animals that fall considerably below 

 the average, they will be the first victims to the foxes, 

 and leave no offspring. However, this does not go 

 on until all the hares are so equipped that no fox can 

 master them. Among the foxes themselves it is always 

 the individuals that can catch the improved hares that 

 survive, secure the most food, and so leave a larger 

 progeny. Thus the sluggards gradually die out 

 amongst the foxes as well, and only those survive 

 that can capture the quicker hares. This must be met 

 by a new selection among the hares, only those 

 surviving and reproducing that are better equipped 



