48 



Latent and Scnd-Latcnt Characters. 



symmetry even in the anomalies. This is l^rought out 

 in the curves by tlie relative shortness of the ordinates 

 corresponding to 4 and 6 (Fig. 6). 



Let us return to the processes of selection. The mean 

 of the race is a pentamerous leaf, which varies within 

 fairly narrow limits, never (or hardly ever) less than 



Fig. 6. Tri folium pratensc qui n que folium. A, Normal 

 curve of the number of leaflets in the leaf. B, Curve of 

 an atavistic individual. C, Curve of the maximum de- 

 gree of abnormality, 1894. 



three or more than seven leaflets being produced. Selec- 

 tion can therefore be either in the direction of the 7 or 

 the 3. In both cases the original symmetrical curve be- 

 comes unilateral. But in the former case the improve- 

 ment of the race is pushed on as strongly as possible, in 

 the latter the reverse happens until it can hardly be dis- 



