of
the exclusive possession of the females; and these have acquired weapons to
combat each other for this purpose, as the very thick, shield-like, horny
skin on the shoulder of the boar is a defence only against animals of his
own species, who strike obliquely upwards, nor are his tushes for other
purposes, except to defend himself, as he is not naturally a carnivorous
animal. So the horns of the stag are sharp to offend his adversary, but are
branched for the purpose of parrying or receiving the thrusts of horns
similar to his own, and have therefore been formed for the purpose of
combating other stags for the exclusive possession of the females; who are
observed, like the ladies in the times of chivalry, to attend the car of
the victor.

The birds, which do not carry food to their young, and do not therefore
marry, are armed with spurs for the purpose of fighting for the exclusive
possession of the females, as cocks and quails. It is certain that these
weapons are not provided for their defence against other adversaries,
because the females of these species are without this armour. The final
cause of this contest amongst the males seems to be, that the strongest and
most active animal should propagate the species, which should thence become
improved.

Another great want consists in the means of procuring food, which has
diversified the forms of all species of animals. Thus the nose of the swine
has become hard for the purpose of turning up the soil in search of insects
and of roots. The trunk of the elephant is an elongation of the nose for
the purpose of pulling down the branches of trees for his food, and for
taking up water without bending his knees. Beasts of prey have acquired
strong jaws or talons. Cattle have acquired a rough tongue and a rough
palate to pull off the blades of grass, as cows and sheep. Some birds have
acquired harder beaks to crack nuts, as the parrot. Others have acquired
beaks adapted to break the harder seeds, as sparrows. Others for the softer
seeds of flowers, or the buds of trees, as the finches. Other birds have
acquired long beaks to penetrate the moister soils in search of insects or
roots, as woodcocks; and others broad ones to filtrate the water of lakes,
and to retain aquatic insects. All which seem to have been gradually
produced during many generations by the perpetual endeavour of the
creatures to supply the want of food, and to have been delivered to their
posterity with const