Step 1: Understanding the Concept
In industrial England, soot killed lichens and darkened tree bark.
Step 2: What happened to the moths
Light peppered moths (Biston betularia) were easily seen and eaten by birds. Dark (melanic) moths were camouflaged, survived and bred more.
Step 3: Interpretation
The environment favoured one variant, so its proportion rose. This is natural selection.
Final Answer:
Industrial melanism demonstrates natural selection.
\[ \boxed{\text{(C) }\text{natural selection}} \]