September 16, 2003

Darwin's Natural Selection & Texas Fossil History

            According to Darwin, “green and budding twigs may represent existing species” (158) begins the simile of a great tree compared to the evolution of life on Earth.  Subsequently, the succeeding branches extend “to overtop and kill the surrounding twigs and branches” (159) like the progeny of the existing species struggling to survive on Earth where the limited availability of resources can only sustain the selected few. The many limbs rotted and gone “represent those whole orders, familiars, and genera which have now no living representatives” (159).  Since the great branches account for the “preservation of favourable individual differences and variations” (157), as confirmed through the vicious changing conditions of time, what do the roots of the tree stand for?  The roots of the great tree must be accounted for: it is the basis and foundation of life for the tree.  If a complete parallel were to be drawn between the tree and life, then the roots must stand for the infinite particles and molecules which came together to form some the simplest forms on Earth.  In essence, the particles and molecules more commonly known as gases, merged together to first form water.  Although still a controversial topic, perhaps is it water that first gave life to the simplest of organisms.

            Man disrupts the natural selection or survival of the fittest with domestication with which “the whole organization becomes in some degree plastic” (155) and superficial.  Man acquires the domesticated horse based upon “some half-monstrous form; or at least by some modification prominent enough to catch the eye” (158).  Already, his selection deviates from Nature’s selection of the fittest for the time.  Man further estranges himself from Nature’s selection by protecting his individual animals no matter their situation.  Under his non-discretionary hand, the “preservation of favourable individual differences and variations, and the destruction of those which are injurious” (155) are completely distorted.  Man will do all he can to revive the sick horse back to health.  In the hands of nature, it would have rightfully died.  The progeny of the current horses will reflect no discretion as a result of man’s refrain from “allow[ing] the most vigorous males to struggle for the females” (158).  Instead, he chooses to play God by breeding the two horses with the most desirable features.  Man will falsely portray the natural selection through his need and fleeting desire to stabilize and protect his property.  On the contrary, natural selection in nature tends to be more sensitive to change.  The slightest change will cause a cataclysmal effect on the population of horses by allowing those better suited to the change to survive.  As quoted from Darwin, “nature’s productions should be far ‘truer’ in character than man’s productions” and “infinitely better adapted to the most complex conditions of life” (158).

            In selection a female mate for man, the laws of natural selection seem impertinent.  He judges not by the usefulness of his partner but rather by external features and appearances.  In a friendly conversation with a Plan II and psychology major, I discovered that males select mates based upon physical appearance centered about youth and beauty.  In essence, the ideal woman possesses a clean complexion and attractiveness defined by symmetry of the face.  On the contrary, the women look for men who can provide for and protect the future family.  In essence, the ideal man would be intelligent and productive as well as strong and brawny.  This comes to explain the odd combination of young wives with old, feeble husbands such as the case of Anna Nicole Smith.  However, socially and economically the laws of natural selection still do exist.  The poor or misfortunate will die an untimely death because of lack of healthcare and nourishment, thus fulfilling the “destruction of those which are injurious” (155).  The rich and more productive species of homo sapiens will survive because of its usefulness and ability to survive and reproduce, thereby honoring the “preservation of favourable individual differences and variations” (155).  Because of the natural selection that exists socially and economically, only the most productive and useful individuals will survive, meaning the rich. 

            “The facing of the [W.C. Hogg Building] and window trim are made of Leuders limestone” (118).  From what little I know of the appearance and varieties of limestone, I believe that I may have spied limestone as fancy window trims to the Jester West dorms.  I remember Jester’s window trim because of its incongruity with the style of the wooden dorm furniture and white walls.   The limestone look-a-like has pock marks seemingly in the shape of fossil shellfish.  On the other hand, the window trims may not be Leuders limestone, but rather Cordova Shell Limestone in which displays of Cretaceous clam Trigonia are outstanding” (119).  Cordova Shell Limestone can be found in the Harry Ransom Center face.  However, supposedly, the Cordova Shell Limestone is used sparingly for trims; the window trims of Jester are often at least six inches thick surrounding the window border.  Moreover, Jester possesses a number of windows.  The emphasis on Mediterranean creature fossils with in the University of Texas architecture resonates with Tennyson’s theme, “I cannot think the thing farewell” (143).  History is such an integral part in making up what is present to this day that one cannot simply forget.  Instead we leave reminders of the past to honor what has happened to make what is here today.