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See page in:
1859
1860
1861
1866
1869
1872

Compare with:
1860
1861
1866
1869
1872

→ relatively to the adjoining parts in the embryo, 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869
in the embryo relatively to the adjoining parts, 1872
↑ 2 blocks not present in 1859 1860 1861 1866; present in 1869 1872
But this is not an explanation, merely a re-statement of the fact. Nor is it consistent with itself: thus the boa-constrictor has rudiments of hind-limbs and of a pelvis, and if it be said that these bones have been retained "to complete the scheme of nature," why, as Professor Weismann asks, have they not been retained by other snakes, which do not possess even a vestige of these same bones?
→ sufficient to say that because planets 1859 1860 1861 1866
of an astronomer, who maintained that the satellites 1869
of an astronomer who maintained that the satellites 1872
→ the sun, satellites follow 1859 1860 1861 1866
their planets "for 1869 1872
→ course round 1859 1860 1861 1866
of symmetry," because 1869 1872
→ for the sake of symmetry, and to complete the scheme of nature? 1859 1860 1861 1866
thus revolve round the sun? 1869 1872
→ the formation of 1859 1860 1861 1866
OMIT 1869 1872
→ can be of any service 1859 1860 1861 1866
are beneficial 1869 1872
→ the excretion of precious 1859 1860 1861 1866
removing matter so precious as 1869 1872
→ sometimes 1859 1860 1861 1866
have been known to 1869 1872
→ have appeared, not from unknown laws of growth, but 1859 1860 1861 1866
have been developed 1869
are developed 1872
rule, that a rudimentary part
or organ
or organ
is of greater size →relatively to the adjoining parts in the embryo, than in the adult; so that the organ at this early age is less rudimentary, or even cannot be said to be in any degree rudimentary.
Hence
Hence,
also, a
also, a
rudimentary
organs
organ
in the
adult
adult,
are
is
often said to have retained
their
its
embryonic condition.
I have now given the leading facts with respect to rudimentary organs. In reflecting on them, every one must be struck with
astonishment;
astonishment:
for the same reasoning power which tells us
plainly
plainly
that most parts and organs are exquisitely adapted for certain purposes, tells us with equal plainness that these rudimentary or atrophied
organs
organs,
are imperfect and useless. In works on natural
history,
history
rudimentary organs are generally said to have been created "for the sake of symmetry," or in order "to complete the scheme of
nature."
nature;"
but
but
this
this
seems
seems
to
to
me
me
no
no
explanation,
explanation,
merely
merely
an imposing
a
a
re-statement
restatement
restatement
of
of
the
the
fact.
fact.
↑
What would
Would it
be thought →sufficient to say that because planets revolve in elliptic courses round →the sun, satellites follow the
sake
same
→course round
their
the
planets
planets,
→for the sake of symmetry, and to complete the scheme of nature? An eminent physiologist accounts for the presence of rudimentary organs, by supposing that they serve to excrete matter in excess, or
matter injurious
injurious
to the system; but can
be
we
suppose that the minute
papilla;
papilla,
which often
represent
represents
the pistil in male flowers, and which is formed
merely
merely
of
mere cellular
cellular
tissue, can thus act? Can we suppose that →the formation of rudimentary
teeth,
teeth
which are subsequently absorbed, →can be of any service to the rapidly growing embryonic calf by →the excretion of precious phosphate of lime? When a
mans
man's
fingers have been amputated, imperfect nails →sometimes appear on the
stumps,
stumps:
and I
I
could as soon believe that these vestiges of nails →have appeared, not from unknown laws of growth, but