New-York tribune., 1868-05-06

became feeteT, and the country moie oh'.' '"'0u "nu
sroootber spifter foxbounds were desired and pro-
ducod but probably without any distinct purp on
the mart NJ the breeder The pointer and setter have
ham eatlv noodifed in accordance with fashion and
the desire for increased speed. AS woiVes nave De-
come extinct deer found IN fewer numbers ana puIs
are no longer baited, corresponding ehange mas
taken place in the breeds OF the 0og' bus II
o1most certain that this is not the effect OF
oonsc;ons purpose. With the change Of circum-
! s+onces breeders have slowly and impeTeept
| ;h,v modi6ed their conrse of selection. The
Drincinle of natural selection, which insures
the survival of individuals best adapted to their con-
d;tons Is subiect to complex laws, and thus far but
little understood. Much light, however, is thrown
ON the subject by the indefatgable diligence of Mr.
Darwin in collecting Illustrations. Color, for in
stance is generally regarded as unimportant by the
systematic naturalist. But from its effects on do
mestic productions, we may derive valuable conclu'
sons as to it's influence in where free scope was
given to natural selection. For example, it has been
found that black pigs in certain parts of Florida can
feed on o common root, which, in other varieties
causes the hoos to fall Oft so that the black members
of the litter are selected for raising as they alone
have good chance of living In the Tarentino
black sheep only are kept as they can feed without
injury on plant which kills the white ones in less
than three weeks White terriers suffer more than
those Of any other color from the fatal distemper
YellOw-heshed peaches the first to suffer nom
the disease called the yellows."> In Mauritius
white sugarcanes have Of late years been so severely
attacked by disease, from which the red canes are
free that the planters have been compelled to give
up growing that variety.
The attacks of parasites both on animals and vege-
tables also have much to do with color Whlte
chickens are more subject to the "gapes" disease
t;o in, fha fpach than
colored ones Caterpillars which produce white CO.
coons resist the deadly fungus better than those pro-
ducing yellow cocoons White verbenas are es-
pecialy liable to mldew During an early period OF
the grape-dsease near Malaga the green sorts SUI
fered most; the red and black grapes not at all.
In many cases, the range of the higher animals,
and even their existence, while living under their
natural conditions are determined by insects Under
domestcatiOn light-coOred animals suffer most. In
some parts Of Germany, the farmers do not like
white gray, OF pale cattle, because they are much
troubled by the various kinds of flies than the
brown, red, or black CATTLE In the West Indies, it
is said that tho only horned cattle fit for work are
those which have a good deal of black in them, rs
the white are weak and sluggish and terribly tor
mented by insects II is believed in counties in
England, that white pigs, when turned out, are
blistered by the sun.
The scorching of flowers by the sun depends much
on color. Thus, dark pelargoniums suffer most,
especially the clOth-ofgold varieties, which will not
stand degree of exposure To the sunshine that other
varieties enjoy. Scarlet and other darkcoored ver
benas suffer from the sun; the paler kinds stand
better and pale blue is perhaps the best of all. So
with the heartsease hot weather suits the blotched
Sorts while it destroys the beautiful marking of
some other kinds. During one extremely cold season
in Holland it was observed that all the redfowered
s.-N IL 1.l.au "a
by many agriculturists that red wheat bears north
ern climate better than white wheat.
The white varieties Of animals being more
spicuOus are the most liable TO attack from beasts
and birds of prey. In flock of pigeons the white
ones always fall the first victims to the Kite On
the other hand the seaeagle the west coast OF Ire
land picks out the black fowls that the villagers
avoid as much as possible rearing birds of that color
In the Of plants, other trihing differences be-
side color are found to affect their cultivation and
| would exert paramount infuence, if they had TO
| fight their own battle and TO struggle with many
competitors The thnshelled species of peas at
tackled by birds much more than common peas. The
| thin-sheed walnut suffers greatly from the tomtt.
! Certain varieties of the pear with soft bark
greatly injured by borers while other kinds resist
their attacks much better The absence Of down on
the fruit makes great difference in the ravages Of
the weevil Hence the nectarine suffers more than
the peach.
From our brief summary of portion Of the con
tents Of this work il Wal be that to great de-
gree it is essentially of popular character II is
alike adapted to the wants of the practical agEcul
turist and of the student Of natural history The
immense collection of facts which it presents illus
tration Of the scientific views of the writer are of
singular interest and value irrespective Of the pecu
liar theory of which no is the most able and earnest
advocate and in its present FORM the original pro-
FOUNDER Not that he shows any traces Of partisan
spirit in the exhibition and maintenance of his ideas.
He states his conclusions with wonderful impartial
ity never coDCealing or sighting fact which may
appear to contradict them, or endeavorng to
impair its force by ingenious sophistTy. We
certainly cannot name the writer in whom
the pure and simple love of truth APP
pears more prominent. 1t oyerrides the passion
for victory in the support of bold and original specu
latons Though the expOunder of the most startling
theories which have sprung up in the progress of
modern science. he makes parade of discovery, is
in no wise tainted with the love Of paradox, shows
no signs of the mental eccentTicty or waywardness
which might be pardoned in his blood, aud, which,
! in some sense. is associated with his name through
the author Of the Botanic Garden" and Zoonomia'
Mr. Darwin's mOdesty is no less remarkable than his
candOr. He is an example Of the humility which be-
longs to genuine science and is the condition Of high
intellectual attanments. The execution of bis work
is in harmony with the characteristics of his mind,
Written in style of eminent simplicity artlessness
and sincerity free from abstruse reasonings OF pc
dantc refnements it nust prove sngularly attractive
to the oyers Of nature. less than to the scientific
student It would be absurd for u.s. in this place. to
pronounce an opinion on the merits Of Mr. Darwins
explanation Of the origin Of species that is the
work of naturaists ss learned as ssgacious, as
experienced and as sincere himself; but even the