276 MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTIONS TO THE [Chap. VH. 



so strongly convinced of the general truth of the conclu- 

 sions here arrived at, subject, of course, in so intricate 

 a subject, to much partial error. 



All Mr. Mivart's objections will be, or have been, 

 considered in the present volume. The one new point 

 which appears to have struck many readers is, " that 

 natural selection is incompetent to account for the in- 

 cipient stages of useful structures." This subject is 

 intimately connected with that of the gradation of cha- 

 racters, often accompanied by a change of function, — 

 for instance, the conversion of a swim-bladder into 

 lungs, — points which were discussed in the last chapter 

 under two headings. Nevertheless, I will here consider 

 in some detail several of the cases advanced by Mr. 

 Mivart, selecting those which are the most illustrative, 

 as want of space prevents me from considering all. 



The giraffe, by its lofty stature, much elongated neck, 

 fore-legs, head and tongue, has its whole frame beauti- 

 fully adapted for browsing on the higher branches of 

 trees. It can thus obtain food beyond the reach of the 

 other Un^ulata or hoofed animals inhabiting the same 

 country ; and this must be a great advantage to it during 

 dearths. The Xiata cattle in S. America show us how 

 small a difference in structure mav make, durinsf such 

 periods, a great difference in preserving an animal's life. 

 These cattle can browse as well as others on grass, but 

 from the projection of the lower jaw they cannot, during 

 the often recurrent droughts, browse on the twigs of 

 trees, reeds, &c, to which food the common cattle and 

 horses are then driven ; so that at these times the Niatas 

 perish, if not fed by their owners. Before coming to Mr. 

 Mivart's objections, it may be well to explain once again 

 how natural selection will act in all ordinary cases. Man 



