88 Menders Experiments 



assimilation and formation of new cells to become an 

 independent organism. This development follows a con- 

 stant law, which is founded on the material composition 

 and arrangement of the elements which meet in the cell 

 in a vivifying union. If the reproductive cells be of the 

 same kind and agree with the foundation cell [fertilised 

 ovum] of the mother plant, then the development of the 

 new individual will follow the same law which rules the 

 mother plant. If it chance that an egg cell unites with a 

 dissimilar pollen cell, we must then assume that between 

 those elements of both cells, which determine the mutual 

 differences, some sort of compromise is effected. The 

 resulting compound cell becomes the foundation of the 

 hybrid organism, the development of which necessarily 

 follows a different scheme from that obtaining in each of the 

 two original species. If the compromise be taken to be a 

 complete one, in the sense, namely, that the hybrid embryo 

 is formed from cells of like kind, in which the differences 

 are entirely and permanently accommodated together, the 

 further result follows that the hybrids, like any other stable 

 plant species, remain true to themselves in their offspring. 

 The reproductive cells which are formed in their seed 



offspring of the hybrids both original types reappear in equal numbers 

 and with all their peculiarities ? If the influence of the egg cell upon 

 the pollen cell were only external, if it fulfilled the role of a nurse 

 only, then the result of each artificial fertilisation could be no other 

 than that the developed hybrid should exactly resemble the pollen 

 parent, or at any rate do so very closely. This the experiments so far 

 have in no wise confirmed. An evident proof of the complete union 

 of the contents of both cells is afforded by the experience gained on 

 all sides that it is immaterial, as regards the form of the hybrid, 

 which of the original species is the seed parent or which the pollen 

 parent. 



