Origin of Species Variorum

Comparison with 1869

than that of the adult. ↑ In two groups of animal, however much they may at present differ from each other in structure and habits, if they pass through the same or similar embryonic stages, we may feel assured that they have both descended from the same or nearly similar parents, and are therefore in that degree closely related. Thus, community in embryonic structure reveals community of descent. ↑ It will reveal this community of descent, however much the structure of the adult may have been modified and obscured; we have seen, for instance, that cirripedes can at once be recognised by their larvæ as belonging to the great class of crustaceans. As the structure of the embryo generally shows us the structure of its less modified and ancient progenitor, we can clearly see why ancient and extinct forms so often resemble the embryos of their descendants,— our existing species in the same class. Agassiz believes this to be a law of nature; and I hope to see it hereafter shown in most cases true. It can be proved true in those cases alone in which the ancient state, ... has not been wholly obliterated either by the successive variations in a long course of modification having super- vened at a very early age, or by the variations having been inherited at an earlier period than that at which they first appeared. It should also be borne in mind, that the supposed law of resemblance of ancient forms of life to the embryonic stages of recent forms, may be true, but yet, owing to the geological record not extending far enough back in time, may remain for a long period, or for ever, in- capable of demonstration. The law will not hold good in those cases in which an ancient form became adapted in its larval state to some special line of life, and transmitted the same larval state to a whole group of descendants; for these in their larval condition will not resemble any ancient form in its adult state.

Thus, as it seems to me, the leading facts in embryology, which are second in importance to none in natural history, are explained on the principle of modifications in the many descendants from some one ancient progenitor, not having appeared at an early period in the life of each, though perhaps caused at the earliest, and being inherited at a corresponding not early period. Embryology rises greatly in interest, when we thus look at the embryo as a picture, more or less obscured, of the common parent-form of each great class of animals.

than that of the adult. ↑ In two or more groups of animals, however much they may .. differ from each other in structure and habits in their adult condition, if they pass through closely similar embryonic stages, we may feel assured that they all are descended from one parent-form, and are therefore ... closely related. Thus, community in embryonic structure reveals community of descent; but dissimilarity in embryonic development does not prove discommunity of descent, for in one of two groups the developmental stages may have been suppressed, or may have been so greatly modified through adaptation to new habits of life, as to be no longer recognisable. Even in groups, in which the adults have been modified to an extreme degree, community of origin is often revealed by the structure of the larvæ; we have seen, for instance, that cirripedes, though externally so like shell-fish, are at once known by their larvæ to belong to the great class of crustaceans. As the embryo often shows us more or less plainly the structure of the less modified and ancient progenitor of the group, we can .. see why ancient and extinct forms so often resemble in their adult state the embryos of ... existing species of the same class. Agassiz believes this to be a universal law of nature; and we may hope hereafter to see the law proved true. It can, however, be proved true only in those cases .. in which the ancient state of the progenitor of the group has not been wholly obliterated, either by .. successive variations ... having supervened at a very early period of growth, or by such variations having been inherited at an earlier age than that at which they first appeared. It should also be borne in mind, that the .. law may be true, but yet, owing to the ... geological record not extending far enough back in time, may remain for a long period, or for ever, incapable of demonstration. The law will not strictly hold good in those cases in which an ancient form became adapted in its larval state to some special line of life, and transmitted the same larval state to a whole group of descendants; for such larvæ will not resemble any still more ancient form in its adult state.

Thus, as it seems to me, the leading facts in embryology, which are second .. to none in importance, are explained on the principle of variations in the many descendants from some one ancient progenitor, having appeared at a not very early period of life, and having been inherited at a corresponding .. period. Embryology rises greatly in interest, when we .. look at the embryo as a picture, more or less obscured, of the progenitor, either in its adult or larval state, of all the members of the same great class. .. ..