ACQUIRED ADAPTATIONS 443 



or we might take a mountain species of buttercup (Fig. 302) 

 which differs from near relatives of the lowlands in having a 

 stunted, compact form well suited to alpine conditions and 

 a rosette of leaves somewhat resembling those of our moun- 



FiG. 301. — Common Dandelion {Taraxicum officinale. Sunflower Family, 

 Compositw). P, plant as it grows in the lowlands, reduced in size. 

 ISI, plant as it grows at high altitudes, reduced in the same proportion 

 as P. M', the same plant as M less reduced. (Bonnier.) — Native 

 home, Europe; very common as a weed in America. 



tain form of dandelion. A peculiarity supposed to have 

 arisen in response to some direct influence of the environ- 

 ment is said to be acquired. If it be characteristic of a group 

 it is called an acquired character, while in so far as it serves 

 to fit the organism for the special conditions of its life it is 

 an acc^uired adaptation. 



