228 THE GENESIS OF SPECIES. [CHAP. 



with Salvia verticillata, which may be taken as the most 

 highly-developed form, and as the most distant from the 

 type, we observe a singular phenomenon. The lower cell 

 of each of the two fertile anthers, which is much reduced 

 and different from the superior even in Salvia officinalis, 

 is transmuted in other salvice into an organ (nectarotheca) 

 having a very different form and function, and finally dis- 

 appears entirely in Salvia verticillata. 



"Now, on one occasion, in a flower belonging to an 

 individual of Salvia verticillata, and only on the left stamen, 

 I observed a perfectly-developed and polliniferous lower 

 cell, perfectly homologous with that which is normally 

 developed in Salvia officinalis. This case of atavism is 

 truly singular. According to the theory of Pangenesis, it 

 ( is necessary to assume that all the gemmules of this anom- 

 alous formation, and therefore the mother-gemmule of the 

 cell, and the daughter-gemmules of the special epidermic 

 tissue, and of the very singular subjacent tissue of the 

 endothecium, have been perpetuated, and transmitted from 

 parent to offspring in a dormant state, and through a 

 / number of generations, such as startles the imagination, and 

 leads it to refuse its consent to the theory of Pangenesis, 

 however seductive it may be." This seems a strong confir- 

 mation of what has been here advanced. 



The main objection raised against Mr. Darwin's hy- 

 pothesis is that it (Pangenesis) requires so many subordi- 

 nate hypotheses for its support, and that some of these are 

 not tenable. 



Professor Delpino considers T that as many as eight 

 of these subordinate hypotheses are required; namely, 

 that 



" 1. The emission of the gemmules takes place, or may 

 take place, in all states of the cell. 



7 See Scientific Opinion, of September 29, 1869, p. 366. 



