Origin of Species Variorum

Comparison with 1859

we see no trace of the vermiform stage. ↑

How, then, can we explain these several facts in embryology,— namely the very general, but not universal difference in structure between the embryo and the adult;— of parts in the same indivividual embryo, which ultimately become very unlike and serve for diverse purposes, being at this early period of growth alike;— of embryos of different species within the same class, generally, but not universally, resembling each other;— of the structure of the embryo not being closely related to its conditions of existence, except when the embryo becomes at any period of life active and has to provide for itself;— of the embryo apparently having sometimes a higher organisation than the mature animal, into which it is developed. I believe that all these facts can be explained, as follows, on the view of descent with modification.

It is commonly assumed, perhaps from monstrosities often affecting the embryo at a very early period, that

we see hardly any trace of the vermiform stage.

Sometimes it is only the earlier developmental stages which fail. .. .. .. .. .. Thus Fritz Müller has .. made the remarkable discovery that certain shrimp-like crustaceans (allied to Penœus) first appear under the simple nauplius-form, and after passing through two or more zoea-stages, and then through the mysis-stage, finally acquire their mature structure: now in the whole great malacostracan class, to which these crustaceans belong, no other member is as yet known to be first developed under the nauplius-form, though .. many appear as zoeas; nevertheless Müller assigns reasons for his belief that all these crustaceans would have appeared as nauplii, if there had been no suppression of development.

How, then, can we explain these several facts in embryology,— namely, the very general, though not universal, difference in structure between the embryo and the adult;— the various parts in the same individual embryo, which ultimately become very unlike and serve for diverse purposes, being at an early period of growth alike;— the general, but not invariable, resemblance between the embryos or larvæ of the most distinct species in the same class;— the embryo retaining whilst within the egg or womb, structures which are of no service to it, either at that period or later in life; whilst embryos at a later period, or larvæ, which have to provide for their own wants, are perfectly adapted to the surrounding conditions;— and lastly the fact of certain larvæ standing higher in the scale of organisation than the mature animals into which they are developed? I believe that all these facts can be explained, as follows. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

It is commonly assumed, perhaps from monstrosities .. affecting the embryo at a very early period, that