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as has been remarked by Owen, quicker 1866 1869 1872
quicker 1861

Dr. Falconer, believes that it is chiefly insects which, 1866 1869 1872
believes that at the present day insects (as Bruce has likewise described in Abyssinia), 1861

in India, check 1866 1869 1872
are one chief check to 1861

increase; and this was Bruces conclusion with respect to the African elephant in Abyssinia. 1869
increase. 1861
increase; and this was Bruce's conclusion with respect to the African elephant in Abyssinia. 1866 1872

OMIT 1866 1869 1872
of different kinds, 1861

determine
determine,
as has been remarked by Owen, quicker extermination from the greater amount of requisite food. Before man inhabited India or Africa, some cause must have checked the continued increase of the existing elephant. A highly capable
judge
judge,
Dr. Falconer, believes that it is chiefly insects which, from incessantly harassing and weakening the
elephant,
elephant
in India, check its increase; and this was Bruces conclusion with respect to the African elephant in Abyssinia. It is certain that insects OMIT and blood-sucking
bats,
bats
determine the existence of the larger naturalised quadrupeds in several parts of S.
America.
America.
We see in many cases in the more recent tertiary formations, that rarity precedes extinction; and we know that this has been the progress of events with those animals which have been exterminated, either locally or wholly, through
man's
mans
agency. I may repeat what I published in 1845, namely, that to admit that species generally become rare before they become extinct— to feel no surprise at the rarity of a species, and yet to marvel greatly when
it
the species
ceases to exist, is much the same as to admit that sickness in the individual is the forerunner of death— to feel no surprise at sickness,
but
but,
when the sick man dies, to wonder and to suspect that he died by some
unknown
....
deed of violence.
The theory of natural selection is grounded on the belief that each new variety, and ultimately each new species, is produced and maintained by having some advantage over those with which it comes into
compe- tition;
competition;
and the consequent extinction of
less-favoured
the less-favoured
forms almost inevitably follows. It is the same with our domestic
productions:
productions;
when a new and slightly improved variety has been raised, it at first
generally supplants
supplants
the less improved varieties in the same neighbourhood;