34-6 
On the other hand, the stronger neck by itself would 
supply a variation not wanted, and therefore useless. 
Again, if we assume that the heavier head was the sole 
modification in one or in a few individuals, and that the 
stronger neck was the sole modification in another, then, 
in order that these two individuals—or, if you will, a small 
number of such individuals—should intermarry, it is neces 
sary that they alone should survive, and that the others 
should be all destroyed. That is to say, the injurious vari 
ation of the one and the useless variation of the other must 
triumph over the other members of the group which were 
perfectly adapted to the conditions in which they lived. 
Such selection might be possible under the type-producing 
selection of man, but not through the action of Natural 
Selection. 
But Mr. Darwin says that the antler of the Irish elk 
has been developed through Sexual Selection. The first 
stage is thus described :— 
“ Each stag presents individual differences, and in the same 
district those which had slightly heavier horns, or stronger necks, 
or stronger bodies, or were the most courageous, would secure the 
greatest number of does.” 
Now, first of all, these differences cannot be so very slight, 
since they are supposed to secure the victory to their 
fortunate possessors. In the second place, these variants 
have to compete with the most courageous ; and nothing 
is said about the structure of that combatant. I should 
be inclined to say that courage would count for more 
than a slightly heavier head or stronger neck. In the 
third place, what conceivable advantage could come from 
a heavier head associated with a neck which had not 
proportionate strength to use that head as a battering- 
ram ? The stronger neck might be useful by itself, but 
it certainly would be more useful if associated with a