Jean Baptiste de Lamarck (1744 - 1829)

    In full, Jean-Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet, Chevalier de Lamarck, 18th century French evolutionist, best known for his "Zoological Philosophy" (1809) which advanced the first modern theory of evolution, including a concept of inheritance of acquired characteristics. 

    Lamarck offered a brief, hypothetical explanation of the Giraffe's neck that the animals stretched them in order to reach the leaves at the tops of trees. This stretching was then passed on to the offspring of the successful Giraffes. Lamarck offered no supporting evidence: he himself had never seen giraffes feeding. As a member of the French aristocracy who sided with the Revolution, his ideas were suspect both on the Continent and in Britain.

    Modern studies have shown that Giraffes feed near the middle of trees. Males use their necks and heads as clubs in agonistic combat over access to females: sexual selection on longer necks provide mechanical advantage.