how at the first start of life, when there were only the simplest organisms, how did any complication of organisation profit them?
I can only answer that we have not facts enough to guide any speculation on the subject.
With respect to Lepidosiren, Ganoid fishes, perhaps Ornithorhynchus, I suspect, as stated in the "Origin," (95/7.

"Origin of Species" (Edition VI.), page 83.), that they have been preserved, from inhabiting fresh-water and isolated parts of the world, in which there has been less competition and less rapid progress in Natural Selection, owing to the fewness of individuals which can inhabit small areas; and where there are few individuals variation at most must be slower.

There are several allusions to this notion in the "Origin," as under Amblyopsis, the blind cave-fish (95/8.

"Origin," page 112.), and under Heer (95/9.
"Origin," page 83.) about Madeira plants resembling the fossil and extinct plants of Europe.
LETTER 96.

TO JAMES LAMONT.