212 PUBLICATION OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES.' [1859. 



will be driven to reject all or admit all : I fear by your letter 

 it will be the former alternative ; and in that case I shall feel 

 sure it is my fault, and not the theory's fault, and this will 

 certainly comfort me. With regard to the descent of the 

 great Kingdoms (as Vertebrata, Articulata, &c.) from one 

 parent, I have said in the conclusion, that mere analogy 

 makes me think it probable ; my arguments and facts are 

 sound in my judgment only for each separate kingdom. 



The forms which are beaten inheriting some inferiority in 

 common. I dare say I have not been guarded enough, but 

 might not the term inferiority include less perfect adaptation 

 to physical conditions ? 



My remarks apply not to single species, but to groups or 

 genera ; the species of most genera are adapted at least to 

 rather hotter, and rather less hot, to rather damper and dryer 

 climates ; and when the several species of a group are beaten 

 and exterminated by the several species of another group, it 

 will not, I think, generally be from each new species being 

 adapted to the climate, but from all the new species having 

 some common advantage in obtaining sustenance, or escaping 

 enemies. As groups are concerned, a fairer illustration than 

 negro and white in Liberia would be the almost certain future 

 extinction of the genus ourang by the genus man, not owing 

 to man being better fitted for the climate, but owing to the 

 inherited intellectual inferiority of the Ourang-genus to Man- 

 genus, by his intellect, inventing fire-arms and cutting down 

 forests. I believe, from reasons given in my discussion, that 

 acclimatisation is readily effected under nature. It has taken 

 me so many years to disabuse my mind of the too great import- 

 ance of climate its important influence being so conspicuous, 

 whilst that of a struggle between creature and creature is so 

 hidden that I am inclined to swear at the North Pole, and, 

 as Sydney Smith said, even to speak disrespectfully of the 

 Equator. I beg you often to reflect (I have found nothing 

 so instructive) on the case of thousands of plants in the 



