It is
by the spectacle of his force that the male among many of the
lower animals sexually affects the female. Darwin duly allows for
this fact, while some evolutionists, and notably Wallace,
consider that it covers the whole field of sexual selection. When
choice exists, Wallace states, "all the facts appear to be
consistent with the choice depending on a variety of male
characteristics, with some of which color is often correlated.
Thus, it is the opinion of some of the best observers that vigor
and liveliness are most attractive, and these are, no doubt,
usually associated with some intensity of color, ... There is
reason to believe that it is his [the male bird's] persistency
and energy rather than his beauty which wins the day." (A.R.
Wallace, _Tropical Nature_, 1898, p. 199.) In his later book,
_Darwinism_ (p. 295), Wallace reaffirms his position that sexual
selection means that in the rivalry of males for the female the
most vigorous secures the advantage; "ornament," he adds, "is the
natural product and direct outcome of superabundant health and
vigor." As regards woman's love of strength, see Westermarck,
_History of Marriage_, p.
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