Data for the problem of evolution in man. V. On the correlation between duration of life and the number of offspring

Abstract

According to the Darwinian theory of evolution the members of a community less fitted^ to their environment are removed by death. But this process of natural selection would not permanently modify a race, if the members thus removed were able before death to propagate their species in average numbers. It then becomes an important question to ascertain how far duration of life is related to fertility. In the case of many insects death can interfere only with their single chance of offspring they live or not for their one breeding season only. A similar statement holds good with regard to annual and biennial plants.