Chapter II: 30

Some of the more Important Objections to the Theory of Natural Selection

Brief statement of Theory—Objections to the Theory fall into two
classes—Those which strike at the root of the Theory—Those which
deny the all-sufficiency of Natural Selection—Objections which
strike at root of Theory are based on misconception—Objections to
Wallaceism—The Theory fails to explain the origin of
Variations—Natural Selection called on to explain too much—Unable
to explain beginnings of new organs—The Theory of change of
function—The co-ordination of variations—The fertility of races of
domesticated animals—Missing links—Swamping effects of
intercrossing—Small variations cannot have a survival value—Races
inhabiting same area—Excessive specialisation—Chance and Natural
Selection—Struggle for existence most severe among young
animals—Natural Selection fails to explain mimicry and other
phenomena of colour—Conclusion, that scarcely an organism exists
which does not possess some feature inexplicable on the theory of
Natural Selection as held by Wallace and his followers.