Origin of Species Variorum

↑ 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

→ were formed 1859 1860 1861 1866

have been developed 1869 1872

→ simple. 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

comparatively simple; and we can understand to a large extent the laws governing their imperfect development. 1872

→ breeds,— 1859 1860 1861 1866

breeds of sheep,— 1869

breeds of sheep, 1872

→ monsters. 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

monsters; but I doubt whether any of these cases throw light on the origin of rudimentary organs in a state of nature, further than by showing that rudiments can be produced; for the balance of evidence clearly indicates that species under nature do not undergo great and abrupt changes. 1872

→ I doubt whether any of these cases throw light on the origin of rudimentary organs in a state of nature, further than by showing that rudiments can be produced; for I doubt whether species under nature ever undergo abrupt changes. 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

we learn from the study of our domestic productions that the disuse of parts leads to their reduced size; and that the result is inherited. 1872

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."

~~but~~

~~this~~

~~seems~~

~~explanation,~~

~~merely~~

an imposing

restatement

~~re-statement~~

re-statement

~~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

suppose that the minute

papilla;

papilla,

which often

represent

represents

the pistil in male flowers, and which is formed

~~merely~~

merely

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

could as soon believe that these vestiges of nails →have appeared, not from unknown laws of growth, but in order to excrete horny matter, as that the rudimentary nails on the fin of the manatee →were formed for this

same purpose.

purpose.

the

view of descent with modification, the origin of rudimentary organs is →simple. We have plenty of cases of rudimentary organs in our domestic productions,— as the stump of a tail in tailless breeds,— the vestige of an ear in earless →breeds,— the reappearance of minute dangling horns in hornless breeds of cattle, more especially, according to Youatt, in young animals,— and the state of the whole flower in the cauliflower. We often see rudiments of various parts in →monsters. But →I doubt whether any of these cases throw light on the origin of rudimentary organs in a state of nature, further than by showing that rudiments can be produced; for I doubt whether species under nature ever undergo abrupt changes.