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The Descent of Man

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either temporarily or permanently polygamous.<br />

Too little is known <strong>of</strong> the habits <strong>of</strong> reptiles and<br />

fishes to enable us to speak <strong>of</strong> their marriage<br />

arrangements. <strong>The</strong> stickle-back (Gasterosteus),<br />

however, is said to be a polygamist (17. Noel<br />

Humphreys, 'River Gardens,' 1857.); and the<br />

male during the breeding-season differs conspicuously<br />

from the female.<br />

To sum up on the means through which, as far<br />

as we can judge, sexual selection has led to the<br />

development <strong>of</strong> secondary sexual characters. It<br />

has been shewn that the largest number <strong>of</strong> vigorous<br />

<strong>of</strong>fspring will be reared from the pairing<br />

<strong>of</strong> the strongest and best-armed males,<br />

victorious in contests over other males, with the<br />

most vigorous and best-nourished females,<br />

which are the first to breed in the spring. If<br />

such females select the more attractive, and at<br />

the same time vigorous males, they will rear a<br />

larger number <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fspring than the retarded

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