REFERENCES AND QUOTATIONS. 325 



of forms of the animate world " (p. 3). Except decided dualists, no 

 one disputes the first part of Kolliker's thesis. But the identifica- 

 tion of the development of the organic individual, excluding the 

 law of heredity, with the simple process of crystallization, or any 

 other operation of chemical combination repeating itself under 

 given conditions, scarcely needs a detailed refutation. KoUiker 

 says, and tries to prove, that the so-called monophyletic hypo- 

 thesis, according to which the different famihes of organisms are 

 derived from a single primordial form, has to struggle with insur- 

 mountable difficulties; that the hypothesis of descent from many 

 ■families (polyphyletic) possesses more probability. If this be 

 admitted, then — and here comes a bold leap of the imagination — 

 the adherent of the polyphyletic hypothesis finds himself in a 

 position to attribute different pedigrees and primordial forms not 

 only to the higher divisions, but even to their genera, and to assume 

 their independent origin. Nay, it even seems credible that the 

 self-same species may appear in different pedigrees ; as by the 

 incontrovertible supposition of general laws of formation, it cannot 

 be seen why like primary shapes should not, under certain circum- 

 stances, be able to lead to like final forms (see p. 21). Nay, this 

 hypothesis does more, for " even if individuals of the same species 

 occupy remote localities, as, for instance, Pennatula phosphorea, 

 Funiculina quadrangularis, Renilla reniformis, &c., it is surely more 

 fitting to assume their independent origin." Kolliker's polyphyletic 

 hypothesis put an end to all difficulties, and, among others, it ex- 

 plains the so-called "representative forms" to be mentioned in our 

 tenth chapter ; for, from '" this standpoint, it is credible that these 

 forms are not genetically connected, but belong to different pedi- 

 grees" (p.. 23). And all this, and much more, is supposed to be 

 conceivable, because the world of organisms, in its consecutive 

 development, follows intrinsic causes or definite laws of formation, 

 " laws which, in a perfectly definite manner, urge on the organisms 

 to constantly higher development." At the same time, Kolliker 

 deliberates (p. 38) whether, just as here germs and buds, so also 

 free existing youthful forms of animals did not possess the power 

 of striking out a development different from the typical one, which 

 freedom must be severely mulcted by the law of development, 

 which can and must create individuals of the same species at the 



