CHAPTER VIII

THE FACTORS OF EVOLUTION

Variation along definite lines and Natural Selection are undoubtedly important factors of evolution—Whether or not sexual selection is a factor we are not yet in a position to decide—_Modus operandi_ of Natural Selection—Correlation an important factor—Examples of correlation—Correlation is a subject that requires close study—Isolation a factor in evolution—Discriminate isolation—Indiscriminate isolation—Is the latter a factor?—Romanes’ views—Criticism of these—Indiscriminate isolation shown to be a factor—Summary of the methods in which new species arise—Natural Selection does not make species—It merely decides which of certain ready-made forms shall survive—Natural Selection compared to a competitive examination and to a medical board—We are yet in darkness as to the fundamental causes of the Origin of Species—In experiment and observation rather than speculation lies the hope of discovering the nature of these causes.

We have so far considered three factors of evolution. The first of these is the tendency of organisms to vary along definite lines. This is a most important factor, because, unless variation occurs in any given direction, there can be no evolution in that direction. Variations are the materials upon which the other factors, or causes, of evolution work. The second great factor is natural selection. Natural selection may be compared to a builder, and variations to his materials. The kind of building that a builder can construct depends very largely on the material supplied to him. The Forth Bridge could not have been built had those who constructed it had no material given them but bricks and mortar. Wallaceians regard natural selection as a builder who is supplied with every kind of building material—stone, bricks, wood, iron, aluminium, in any quantities he may desire. They therefore regard natural selection as the one and only cause which determines evolution. This, however, is a wrong idea. Natural selection should rather be likened to a builder who is supplied with a limited variety of building materials, so that considerable restrictions are imposed on his building operations. The doors, windows, fireplaces, etc., are supplied to him ready-made. He merely selects which of these he will use for each building.

The third factor of evolution which we have considered is sexual selection. As we have seen, sufficient attention has not been paid to this subject, so that we are not yet in a position to say how much, if any, influence it has exercised on the course of evolution.

The Struggle for Existence

In addition to these three factors, there are, we believe, some others. Before proceeding to a consideration of these, it is important to study carefully the _modus operandi_ of natural selection, or, in other words, the nature of the struggle for existence, as many of the statements contained in recent books on evolution seem to us to be based upon a mistaken conception of this important factor.

As usual, Darwin’s disciples have failed to improve upon the account he gave of the nature of the struggle for existence. This is set forth in