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The Descent of Man

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ed, in all these respects between birds and insects<br />

is curiously close. Whatever explanation<br />

applies to the one class probably applies to the<br />

other; and this explanation, as we shall hereafter<br />

attempt to shew in further detail, is sexual<br />

selection.<br />

CHAPTER XII.<br />

SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERS OF<br />

FISHES, AMPHIBIANS, AND REPTILES.<br />

FISHES: Courtship and battles <strong>of</strong> the males—<br />

Larger size <strong>of</strong> the females— Males, bright colours<br />

and ornamental appendages; other strange<br />

characters— Colours and appendages acquired<br />

by the males during the breeding-season<br />

alone—Fishes with both sexes brilliantly coloured—Protective<br />

colours—<strong>The</strong> less conspicuous<br />

colours <strong>of</strong> the female cannot be accounted for<br />

on the principle <strong>of</strong> protection—Male fishes

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