But in order to be thus operative it must be a generally useful principle, and Mr.Darwin has very clearly shown us in what this utility consists.
_Divergence leads to a Maximum of Organic Forms in each Area._ Divergence of character has a double purpose and use.

In the first place it enables a species which is being overcome by rivals, or is in process of extinction by enemies, to save itself by adopting new habits or by occupying vacant places in nature.

This is the immediate and obvious effect of all the numerous examples of divergence of character which we have pointed out.

But there is another and less obvious result, which is, that the greater the diversity in the organisms inhabiting a country or district the greater will be the total amount of life that can be supported there.

Hence the continued action of the struggle for existence will tend to bring about more and more diversity in each area, which may be shown to be the case by several kinds of evidence.