It seems to the author an unwarrantable assumption that a cross with what, on the Darwinian theory, can only be a slightly diverging descendant of a common parent, should produce an effect equal to that of captivity, and consequent change of habit, as well as considerable modification of food.
No clear case has been given by Mr.Darwin in which mongrel animals, descended from the same undoubted species, have been persistently infertile _inter se_; nor any clear case in which hybrids between animals, generally admitted to be distinct species, have been continuously fertile _inter se_.
It is true that facts are brought forward tending to establish the probability of the doctrine of Pallas, that species may sometimes be {126} rendered fertile by domestication.

But even if this were true, it would be no approximation towards proving the converse, _i.e._ that races and varieties may become sterile when wild.

And whatever may be the preference occasionally shown by certain breeds to mate with their own variety, no sterility is recorded as resulting from unions with other varieties.
Indeed, Mr.Darwin remarks,[124] "With respect to sterility from the crossing of domestic races, I know of no well-ascertained case with animals.

This fact (seeing the great difference in structure between some breeds of pigeons, fowls, pigs, dogs, &c.) is extraordinary when contrasted with the sterility, of many closely-allied natural species when crossed." It has been alleged that the domestic and wild guinea-pig do not breed together, but the specific identity of these forms is very problematical.
Mr.A.D.Bartlett, superintendent of the Zoological Gardens, whose experience is so great, and observation so quick, believes them to be decidedly distinct species.
Thus, then, it seems that a certain normal specific stability in species, accompanied by occasional sudden and considerable modifications, might be expected _a priori_ from what we know of crystalline inorganic forms and from what we may anticipate with regard to the lowest organic ones.

This presumption is strengthened by the knowledge of the increasing difficulties which beset any attempt to indefinitely intensify any race characteristics.
The obstacles to this indefinite intensification, as well as to certain lines of variation in certain cases, appear to be not only external, but to depend on internal causes or an internal cause.