124 THE EVOLUTION OF SEX. 



are actively vegetative, and go on increasing in size; they do not 

 divide, and may be justly regarded as emphatically anabolic. The 

 nodal cells, on the other hand, are much smaller, and do divide. That 

 is to say they are relatively more katabolic. 



A crucial test of the present theory thus suggests itself. Since the 

 reproductive organs are simply, as every morphologist knows, 

 shortened branch-structures, we should predict that the cell from the 

 segmentation of which the antheridium is derived must correspond in 

 position to a nodal and katabolic cell (that is, be based upon an inter- 

 node), while the corresponding essentially female cell or ovum must be 

 internodal or apical in origin (that is, based upon a node, and this 

 relatively more anabolic). It is therefore not a little noteworthy that 

 an examination, alike of classical figures and fresh specimens, will 

 show that this imperfect homology, but perfect physiological corres- 

 pondence, is invariably the fact (see figure). 



VII. Conclusion. — In conclusion, in defiance of Dr. Minot's 

 recent dictum that ' ' such speculation passes far beyond the present 

 possibilities of science, ' ' we believe that the consideration (a) of the 

 characteristics of the sex-elements alike in history, as Minot himself 



SUM OF FUNCTIONS. 



Nuiriuon. Reproduction. 



Anabolism. Katabolism. Female. Male. 



Fig. 40. 



emphasizes, and in their finished form, (6) of the incipient sex dimor- 

 phism seen among the simplest plants and animals, (c) of phenomena, 

 both normal and pathological, in the sexual tissues and organs, 

 (d) of the established facts in regard to the determination of 

 sex (chap. IV.) and (e) of the structural and functional, primary and 

 secondary characteristics of the sexes (chap. II. and passim), — all 

 lead to the general conclusion that the female is the outcome and 

 expression of preponderant anabolism, and in contrast the male of 

 predominant katabolism. Further corroborations will gradually 

 appear in the succeeding sections, as we discuss fertilization, partheno- 



