PHENOMENA OF CONVERGENCE. 21 



self : further, that it would even seem probable that 

 one and the same species appeared in different pedi- 

 grees ; for, owing to the unavoidable assumption of 

 universal laws of formation, it cannot be denied 

 that the same primary forms might, under certain 

 conditions, be able to lead to the same final form. 

 Where individual species have been found in places 

 widely separated, Kolliker even considers it more 

 appropriate to assume an independent origin for 

 them. 



In the remarks just quoted there is clearly a 

 question about development, even of a plan of 

 development, but there is no mention whatever as 

 to how we are to conceive those laws and effects 

 which have produced the numerous branches of the 

 animal kingdom ; for what are these internal causes 

 which so distinctly force things towards an ever 

 higher form of development ? Nothing is to be 

 gained from this idea, which scarcely deserves 

 the name of an hypothesis. It is a complete re- 

 habilitation of dualism and teleology. Kolliker's 

 supposition does certainly touch upon our present 

 views of convergence, but it goes no further ; for, 

 in the first place, it takes for granted the existence 

 of some plan which cannot be accurately defined, 

 a tendency i.e. a purpose ; and, secondly, it does 



