THE RANGE OF DOMINANCE 169 



CONCLUSION 



It is possible to control and alter experimentally 

 the spatial relations of parts in the individual by altering 

 the length of the metabolic gradient and so the range 

 of dominance. ' Parts of the individual may come to lie 

 beyond the range of dominance in consequence of 

 increase in size of the whole, of decrease in range and 

 degree of dominance by decrease in the metabolic rate 

 in the dominant region, of decrease in conductivity of 

 the paths of correlation, and of the direct local action 

 of external factors which increase the independence of 

 subordinate parts. Parts thus physiologically isolated 

 may reproduce new individuals if the essential axial 

 gradients exist, or arise in them. In many of the lower 

 organisms the original axis or axes may be experi- 

 mentally obliterated and a new axis and dominance 

 established in relation to external conditions which 

 determine differences in metabolic rate in different parts 

 of the mass. In general, the range of dominance 

 increases during the development of the individual 

 because the conductivity of the protoplasm increases, 

 and special conducting paths develop as the morpho- 

 logical expression of the fundamental correlative con- 

 ditions in the individual. The essentially quantitative 

 character of different axes of the individual is indicated 

 by the fact that one axis may be experimentally substi- 

 tuted for another in determining the localization of a new 

 individuation. 



