400 
GENERAL SUMMARY 
Part II. 
ing with certain individuals of the other sex, charac- 
terised in some peculiar manner, the offspring would 
slowly but surely become modified in this same manner. 
I have not attempted to conceal that, excepting when 
the males are more numerous than the females, or when 
polygamy prevails, it is doubtful how the more attrac- 
tive males succeed in leaving a 'larger number of off- 
spring to inherit their superiority in ornaments or other 
charms than the less attractive males ; but I have shewn 
that this would probably follow from the females, — espe- 
cially the more vigorous females which would be the first 
to breed, preferring not only the more attractive but at 
the same time the more vigorous and victorious males. 
Although we have some positive evidence that birds 
appreciate bright and beautiful objects, as Avith the 
Bower-birds of Australia, and although they certainly 
appreciate the power of song, yet I fully admit that it 
is an astonishing fact that the females of many birds 
and some mammals should be endowed with sufficient 
taste for what has apparently been effected through 
sexual selection ; and this is even more astonishing in 
the case of reptiles, fish, and insects. But we really 
know very little about the minds of the lower animals. 
It cannot be supposed that male Birds of Paradise or 
Peacocks, for instance, should take so much pains in 
erecting, spreading, and vibrating their beautiful plumes 
before the females for no purpose. We should remember 
the fact given on excellent authority in a former chap- 
ter, namely that several peahens, when debarred from 
nn admired male, remained widows during a Avhole 
season rather than pair with another bird. 
Nevertheless I know of no fact in natural history 
more wonderful than that the female Argus pheasant 
should be able to appreciate the exquisite shading of 
the ball-and-socket ornaments and the elegant patterns 
