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The Descent of Man

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y acquiring structures, such as great horns,<br />

which would expend much vital force in their<br />

development. Variations <strong>of</strong> this kind occurring<br />

in the young males would almost certainly be<br />

eliminated through natural selection. With the<br />

adult and experienced males, on the other<br />

hand, the advantages derived from the acquisition<br />

<strong>of</strong> such characters, would more than counterbalance<br />

some exposure to danger, and some<br />

loss <strong>of</strong> vital force.<br />

As variations which give to the male a better<br />

chance <strong>of</strong> conquering other males, or <strong>of</strong> finding,<br />

securing, or charming the opposite sex, would,<br />

if they happened to arise in the female, be <strong>of</strong> no<br />

service to her, they would not be preserved in<br />

her through sexual selection. We have also<br />

good evidence with domesticated animals, that<br />

variations <strong>of</strong> all kinds are, if not carefully selected,<br />

soon lost through intercrossing and accidental<br />

deaths. Consequently in a state <strong>of</strong> nature,<br />

if variations <strong>of</strong> the above kind chanced to

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