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Sect VI. Means of Transition

adherent granules of pollen adhering together & borne on a foot-stalk with a sticky gland at the one end, is the same in the Orchis & Asclepias, which belong to the two main divisions of phanerogamic plants. In most of such cases, however, it should be observed that although the general appearance & function of the organ is be the same in the remotely related species, yet some fundamental difference in the part which has been used being modified for the purpose in question may often be detected; & I am inclined to believe, that in nearly the same way as from the general advance of knowledge two men [illeg] sometimes independently hit on the very same invention, so natural selection, under somewhat similar circumstances & for a similar purpose working for the good of each being & taking advantage of analogous variations, has sometimes modified in the same way part of two organisms, which had owed but little in common from to inheritance.)

Although in many cases it is most difficult to conjecture by what transitions an organ could have arrived at its present state, yet, considering how small the proportion of living forms must be to the

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