Introducing Darwin by Jonathan Miller

Author:Jonathan Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781848311176
Publisher: Icon Books Ltd

LYELL’S OBJECTION TO BIOLOGICAL CHANGE IS MADE ABSURD BY HIS OWN BELIEF IN GEOLOGICAL CHANGE

Like many of his predecessors, Darwin was struck by the far-reaching changes which plants and animals had undergone in the course of human domestication. By studying the establishment of these artificial breeds, Darwin succeeded in identifying the principle which directed evolution into profitable channels.

He developed an almost obsessional interest in the work of gardeners, farmers, stock-breeders and pigeon-fanciers. He frequented cattle markets and sales, and immersed himself in agricultural catalogues and horticultural gazettes. He began to realise that the development of new strains was the result of selective breeding.

Unable to induce the improvements which he needs, the stockbreeder is forced to work with the unsolicited novelties which nature provides. All that he can do is to identify promising traits, if and when they appear, and by isolating these fortunate individuals, and by getting them to mate with others of the same sort, he can encourage the development of new and more profitable breeds.

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