18.01.2013 Views

The Descent of Man

The Descent of Man

The Descent of Man

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

eaks. <strong>The</strong>se indentations are common to the<br />

Indian and Javan peacocks (Pavo cristatus and<br />

P. muticus); and they seem to deserve particular<br />

attention, as probably connected with the<br />

development <strong>of</strong> the ocellus; but for a long time<br />

I could not conjecture their meaning.<br />

If we admit the principle <strong>of</strong> gradual evolution,<br />

there must formerly have existed many species<br />

which presented every successive step between<br />

the wonderfully elongated tail-coverts <strong>of</strong> the<br />

peacock and the short tail- coverts <strong>of</strong> all ordinary<br />

birds; and again between the magnificent<br />

ocelli <strong>of</strong> the former, and the simpler ocelli or<br />

mere coloured spots on other birds; and so with<br />

all the other characters <strong>of</strong> the peacock. Let us<br />

look to the allied Gallinaceae for any stillexisting<br />

gradations. <strong>The</strong> species and sub- species<br />

<strong>of</strong> Polyplectron inhabit countries adjacent<br />

to the native land <strong>of</strong> the peacock; and they so<br />

far resemble this bird that they are sometimes<br />

called peacock-pheasants. I am also informed

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!