RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Sexual Selection of man. CUL-DAR85.A11. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 3.2022. RN1

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volumes CUL-DAR80-86 contain material for Darwin's book Descent of man (1871).

Darwin cited this in Descent 2: 325.


[A11]

Sexual Selection of Man

The greater size of man compared to ♀ (common to all races) no doubt, due, as in Orang & further to sexual selection in man & his progenitors - But how greater size & strength wd be of no use without courage, determination energy & strong [illeg] - The man will thus gain over his rivals, will have to exert his corporal & mental qualities & these characters thus by primitive in males to support his wife & rear offspring by hunting & defending his family & tribe from enemies.

Variation is close direction which occurs late in life will be preserved equally well in emotion variation & they will be sharpened by use at mating, here they will tend to be transmitted to male offspring - This energy & determination & courage applied to mental permits male [genius], for [genius] is protective - protective in the sense being determined energy. It wd not suffice to educate young girls to make ♀ = to ♂!


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Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

File last updated 25 September, 2022