Variation and Natural Selection. 95 



of increased danger from enemies, and even at some loss 

 of power in fighting with their rivals.* . . . What, then, 

 are we to conclude from these, facts and considera- 

 tions ? Does the male parade his charms with so much 

 pomp and rivalry for no purpose ? Are we not justified 

 in believing that the female exerts a choice, and that 

 she receives the addresses of the male who pleases her 

 most ? " t 



Here again, then, we have the combined action of elimi- 

 nation and selection. And now we may note that selec- 

 tion involves intelligence — involves the play of appetence 

 and choice. Hence it is that, when we come to consider 

 the evolution of human-folk, the principle of elimination is 

 so profoundly modified by the principle of selection. Not 

 only are the weaker eliminated by the inexorable pressure 

 of competition, but we select the more fortunate individuals 

 and heap upon them our favours. This enables us also to 

 soften the rigour of the blinder law ; to let the full stress 

 of competitive elimination fall upon the worthless, the idle, 

 the profligate, and the vicious ; but to lighten its incidence 

 on the deserving but unfortunate. 



Both selection and elimination occurring under nature, 

 but elimination having by far the wider scope, we may now 

 inquire what will be their effect as regards the three modes 

 of variation — advantageous, disadvantageous, and neutral. 

 It must be remembered that these modes are relative and 

 dependent upon circumstances, so that variations, neutral 

 under certain conditions, may become relatively disadvan- 

 tageous under other conditions. Selection clearly leads to 

 the preservation of advantageous variations alone, and 

 these variations are advantageous in so far as they meet 

 the taste of the selecting organism. For selection depends 

 upon individual choice ; and uniformity of selection is 

 entirely dependent upon uniformity in the standard of 

 taste. If, as Darwin contends, the splendid plumage and 

 tuneful notes of male birds are the result of a selection of 

 mates by the hens, there must be a remarkable uniformity 



* " Descent of Man," summary of chap. svi. pt. ii. f Ibid. chap. siv. 



