The determination of sex in animal development. 763 



latter, that is to say, the four spermatozoa, or the egg and its three 

 polar bodies, must be identical gametes. In spite of the non-functional 

 nature of the second kind of spermatozoon, a greater percentage of 

 abortive gametes may still obtain in oogenesis than in spermatogenesis. 



The total of the females of the race occupy a relation towards 

 the regulation of sex in nature, similar to that filled with regard to 

 its determination by the individual. In other words, the regulation 

 of sex appertains to the total of the females, and the males possess 

 no influence whatever upon it. 



The regulation of sex would appear to be effected by a self- 

 adjusting arrangement, as Hensen and Düsing insisted without iden- 

 tifying its character. This method of self-regulation is explained more 

 fully in the text: it would appear to be based in the predominance 

 of female over male offspring, in both animals and plants, in the later 

 born young. 



Any interference with, or alteration of, the determination of sex 

 is absolutely beyond human power. To hope ever to influence or 

 modify its manifestations would be not less futile and vain, than to 

 imagine it possible for Man to breathe the breath of Life into in- 

 animate matter. 



For the workings of Nature in sex merge in her revelations of 

 Life itself. 



Zool. Jahrb. XVI. Abth. f. Morph. eq 



