Origin of Species Variorum

→ as in the case of 1869

as well as 1859 1860 1861 1866

in nearly the same manner as does 1872

→ who knows well how to improve his breed by 1869

who knows well that he can improve his breed by 1859 1860 1861 1866

the 1872

→ males; 1866 1869

males. 1859 1860 1861

males; the males of certain hymenopterous insects have been frequently seen by that inimitable observer M. Fabre, fighting for a particular female who sits by, an apparently unconcerned beholder of the struggle, and then retires with the conqueror. 1872

→ OMIT 1869 1872

the shoulder-pad to the boar, 1859 1860 1861 1866

→ their 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

with the most elaborate care, and show off in the best manner their 1872

have a poor chance of leaving

offspring.

numerous offspring.

Sexual

selection,

selection

by always allowing the victor to breed might surely give indomitable courage, length to the spur, and strength to the wing to strike in the spurred leg, →as in the case of the brutal

cock-fighter,

cockfighter by

cockfighter,

→who knows well how to improve his breed by

careful

the careful

selection of

his

the

best cocks. How low in the scale of nature

this

the

law of battle descends, I know not; male alligators have been described as fighting, bellowing, and whirling round, like Indians in a

war dance,

war-dance,

for the possession of the females; male salmons have been

observed

seen

fighting all day long; male stag-beetles

often

sometimes

bear wounds from the huge mandibles of other →males; the males of certain hymenopterous insects have been frequently seen by that inimitable observer M. Fabre, fighting for a particular female, who sits by an apparently unconcerned beholder of the struggle, and then retires with the conqueror. The war is, perhaps, severest between the males of polygamous animals, and these seem oftenest provided with special weapons. The males of carnivorous animals are already well armed; though to them and to others, special means of defence may be given through means of sexual selection, as the mane to the lion, →OMIT and the hooked jaw to the male salmon; for the shield may be as important for victory, as the sword or spear.

Amongst birds, the contest is often of a more peaceful character. All those who have attended to the subject, believe that there is the severest rivalry between the males of many species to

attract,

attract

singing,

singing

the females. The rock-thrush of Guiana, birds of

paradise,

Paradise,

and some others, congregate; and successive males display →their gorgeous

plumage;

plumage

they likewise

and

perform strange antics before the females,

which

which,

standing by as spectators, at last choose the most attractive partner. Those who have closely