48 
Latent and Semi-Latent Characters. 
symmetry even in the anomalies. This is brought out 
in the curves by the relative shortness of the ordinates 
corresponding to 4 and 6 (Fig. 6). 
Let us return to the processes of selection. The mean 
of the race is a pentamerous leaf, which varies within 
fairly narrow limits, never (or hardly ever) less than 
Fig. 6. Trifolium pratcnse quinque folium. A, Normal 
curve of the number of leaflets in the leaf. B, Curve of 
an atavistic individual. C, Curve of the maximum de- 
gree of abnormality, 1894. 
three or more than seven leaflets being produced. Selec- 
tion can therefore be either in the direction of the 7 or 
the 3. In both cases the original symmetrical curve be- 
comes unilateral. But in the former case the improve- 
ment of the race is pushed on as strongly as possible, in 
the latter the reverse happens until it can hardly be dis- 
