The Descent of Man

ges. (13. Quatrefages, 'Revue des Cours Scientifiques,'
1867-68, p. 659.) They appear also to
have equal powers of endurance, as has been
proved in many adventurous expeditions. Even
the great luxury of the rich can be but little detrimental;
for the expectation of life of our aristocracy,
at all ages and of both sexes, is very
little inferior to that of healthy English lives in
the lower classes. (14. See the fifth and sixth
columns, compiled from good authorities, in
the table given in Mr. E.R. Lankester's 'Comparative
Longevity,' 1870, p. 115.)
We will now look to the intellectual faculties. If
in each grade of society the members were divided
into two equal bodies, the one including
the intellectually superior and the other the
inferior, there can be little doubt that the former
would succeed best in all occupations, and rear
a greater number of children. Even in the lowest
walks of life, skill and ability must be of
some advantage; though in many occupations,