Life and Letters of Charles Darwin, vol 2 | Page 6

one or of a
few forms in the same manner as philosophers assume the existence of
a power of attraction without any explanation. But I entirely reject, as
in my judgment quite unnecessary, any subsequent addition "of new
powers and attributes and forces;" or of any "principle of
improvement," except in so far as every character which is naturally
selected or preserved is in some way an advantage or improvement,
otherwise it would not have been selected. If I were convinced that I
required such additions to the theory of natural selection, I would reject
it as rubbish, but I have firm faith in it, as I cannot believe, that if false,
it would explain so many whole classes of facts, which, if I am in my
senses, it seems to explain. As far as I understand your remarks and
illustrations, you doubt the possibility of gradations of intellectual
powers. Now, it seems to me, looking to existing animals alone, that we
have a very fine gradation in the intellectual powers of the Vertebrata,

with one rather wide gap (not half so wide as in many cases of
corporeal structure), between say a Hottentot and a Ourang, even if
civilised as much mentally as the dog has been from the wolf. I suppose
that you do not doubt that the intellectual powers are as important for
the welfare of each being as corporeal structure; if so, I can see no
difficulty in the most intellectual individuals of a species being
continually selected; and the intellect of the new species thus improved,
aided probably by effects of inherited mental exercise. I look at this
process as now going on with the races of man; the less intellectual
races being exterminated. But there is not space to discuss this point. If
I understand you, the turning-point in our difference must be, that you
think it impossible that the intellectual powers of a species should be
much improved by the continued natural selection of the most
intellectual individuals. To show how minds graduate, just reflect how
impossible every one has yet found it, to define the difference in mind
of man and the lower animals; the latter seem to have the very same
attributes in a much lower stage of perfection than the lowest savage. I
would give absolutely nothing for the theory of Natural Selection, if it
requires miraculous additions at any one stage of descent. I think
Embryology, Homology, Classification, etc., etc., show us that all
vertebrata have descended from one parent; how that parent appeared
we know not. If you admit in ever so little a degree, the explanation
which I have given of Embryology, Homology and Classification, you
will find it difficult to say: thus far the explanation holds good, but no
further; here we must call in "the addition of new creative forces." I
think you will be driven to reject all or admit all: I fear by your letter it
will be the former alternative; and in that case I shall feel sure it is my
fault, and not the theory's fault, and this will certainly comfort me.
With regard to the descent of the great Kingdoms (as Vertebrata,
Articulata, etc.) from one parent, I have said in the conclusion, that
mere analogy makes me think it probable; my arguments and facts are
sound in my judgment only for each separate kingdom.
THE FORMS WHICH ARE BEATEN INHERITING SOME
INFERIORITY IN COMMON.
I dare say I have not been guarded enough, but might not the term
inferiority include less perfect adaptation to physical conditions?
My remarks apply not to single species, but to groups or genera; the

species of most genera are adapted at least to rather hotter, and rather
less hot, to rather damper and dryer climates; and when the several
species of a group are beaten and exterminated by the several species of
another group, it will not, I think, generally be from EACH new species
being adapted to the climate, but from all the new species having some
common advantage in obtaining sustenance, or escaping enemies. As
groups are concerned, a fairer illustration than negro and white in
Liberia would be the almost certain future extinction of the genus
ourang by the genus man, not owing to man being better fitted for the
climate, but owing to the inherited intellectual inferiority of the
Ourang-genus to Man-genus, by his intellect, inventing fire-arms and
cutting down forests. I believe from reasons given in my discussion,
that acclimatisation is readily effected under nature. It has taken me so
many years to disabuse my mind of the TOO great importance of
climate--its important influence being so conspicuous, whilst that of a
struggle between creature and creature is so hidden--that I am inclined
to swear at the North Pole, and, as