[1]

Translation of Lucretius

(Natural selection)

Time changes the nature of the whole world, nor does anything remain like itself everything changes. Nature transmutes all things, and forces them to alteration. - - - And we see that a variety of concurrent circumstances is necessary in order that any race may be propagated, as food &c therefore

[2]

it is evident that many races must have perished, unable to leave a posterity behind them. For either craft, or strength or agility preserves every animal which breathes, and many are preserved by us for the sake of their utility, as the dog etc. But as for those to which Nature has granted nothing

[3]

of all this, so that they can neither live on themselves, nor afford us any help for the sake of which we may protect them, it is evident that these were a prey to others, until at length that species was annihilated by Nature

Lucretius V 847-875.

[4]

Translation of Lucretius

[5]

Natural selection according to Lucretius

[Latin not transcribed]

[6]

Lucretius