Professor Wallace (Epicureanism, p. 114) in commenting on this passage adds, 'Of course in this there is no implication of the peculiarly Darwinian doctrine of descent, or development of kind from kind, with structure modified and complicated to meet changing circumstances.'
[29] iii. 327-28.
[30] i. 305.
[31] iv. 705.
[32] 'Dogs, lightly sleeping, with faithful heart.'—v. 864.
[33] 'When from the strong torrents of Helicon the swans raise their liquid wailing with doleful voice.'—iv. 547-48.
[34] 'As the low note of the swan is sweeter than the cry of the cranes, far-scattered among the south-wind's skiey clouds.'—iv. 181-82.
[35] 'And gulls among the sea-waves, seeking their food and pastime in the brine.'—v. 1079-80.
[36] Od. v. 66.
[37] 'And likewise, when the lithe serpent casts its skin among the thorns; for often we notice the briers, with their light airy spoils hanging to them.'—iv. 60-2.