5S DEGENERATION. 



botanists as the explanation of the curious facts con- 

 nected with the reproductive process in the higher 

 plants. As a further example of its application in 

 this field, the yeast-plant may be adduced, which is 

 in all probability a degenerate floating form derived 

 from a species of mould (Mucor). In other fields, 

 wherever in fact the great principle of evolution 

 has been recognised, degeneration plays an important 

 part. In tracing the development of languages, 

 philologists have long made use of the hypothesis of 

 degeneration. Under certain conditions, in the 

 mouths and minds of this or that branch of a race, 

 a highly elaborate language has sometimes degene- 

 rated and become no longer fit to express complex 

 or subtle conceptions, but only such as are simpler 

 and more obvious. (See Note D.) 



The traditional history of mankind furnishes us 

 Vv^ith notable examples of degeneration. High states 

 of civilisation have decayed and given place to low 

 and degenerate states. At one time it was a favourite 

 doctrine that the savage races of mankind were de- 

 generate descendants of the higher and civilised races. 

 This general and sweeping application of the doctrine 

 of degeneration has been proved to be erroneous by 



