268 LAMARCK, HIS LIFE AND WORK 
the limits between these species, supposed to be con- 
stant, are not so rigid as is supposed. 
“Tn truth, nothing often results from these singular 
unions, especially when they are very incongruous, as 
the individuals which result from them are usually 
sterile; but also, when the disparities are less great, it 
is known that the drawbacks (défauts) with which 
it has to do no longer exist. However, this means 
alone suffices to gradually create the varieties which 
have afterwards arisen from races, and which, with 
time, constitute that which we call speczes. 
“To judge whether the idea which is formed of 
species has any real foundation, let us return to the 
considerations which I have already stated; they are, 
namely— 
“y, That all the organic bodies of our globe are 
veritable productions of nature, which she has created 
in succession at the end of much time. 
“2. That in her course nature has begun, and 
begins anew every day, by forming the simplest or- 
ganic bodies, and that she directly forms only these 
—that is to say, only these first primitive germs 
(cbauches) of organization, which have been badly 
characterized by the expression of “ spontaneous gen- 
erations” (qu'on a désignées mal-a-propos par Ucxpres- 
sion de Générations spontanées). 
“3. That the first germs (¢cbauches) of the animals 
and plants were formed in favorable places and cir- 
cumstances. The functions of life beginning and an 
organic movement established, these have necessarily 
gradually developed the organs, so that after a time 
and under suitable circumstances they have been differ- 
entiated, as also the different parts (el/es les ont diver- 
Ssifics ainst gut les parttes). 
‘4. That the power of increase in each portion of 
organic bodies being inherited at the first produc- 
tion (effets) of life, it has given rise to different 
modes of multiplication and of regeneration of indi- 
