Origin of Species Variorum

→ cross. 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

cross; that the fertility of hybrids is not related to the degree in which they resemble in external appearance either parent; and lastly, 1872

→ hybrids 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

making a first cross between any two species 1872

→ related to the degree in which they resemble in external appearance either parent. 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

always governed by their systematic affinity or degree of resemblance to each other. 1872

→ the difference in the result of reciprocal 1861 1866 1869 1872

reciprocal 1859 1860

zero to perfect fertility, or even to fertility under certain conditions in

excess;

excess.

that

That

their fertility, besides being eminently susceptible to favourable and unfavourable conditions, is innately

variable;

variable.

that

That

it is by no means always the same in degree in the first cross and in the hybrids produced from this →cross.

that

That

the

facility

fertility

of →hybrids is not →related to the degree in which they resemble in external appearance either parent. And lastly, that the facility of making a first cross between any two species is not always governed by their systematic affinity or degree of resemblance to each other. This latter statement is clearly proved by →the difference in the result of reciprocal crosses between the same two species,

for

for,

according as the one species or the other is used as the father or the mother, there is generally some difference, and occasionally the widest possible difference, in the facility of effecting an union. The hybrids, moreover, produced from reciprocal crosses often differ in fertility.

Now do these complex and singular rules indicate that species have been endowed with sterility simply to prevent their becoming confounded in nature? I think not. For why should the sterility be so extremely different in degree, when various species are crossed, all of which we must suppose it would be equally important to keep from blending together? Why should the degree of sterility be innately variable in the individuals of the same species? Why should some species cross with facility, and yet produce very sterile hybrids; and other species cross with extreme difficulty, and yet produce fairly fertile hybrids? Why should there often be so great a difference in the result

of a

....

reciprocal cross between the same two species? Why, it may even be asked, has the production of hybrids been permitted?

grant to species the special power of