SOME PRINCIPLES OF PLANT EVOLUTION 493 



the primary mutants, however, were not new forms. Some of 

 them were the original parent, while others were one or more of 

 the sister species. This suggests that the parent form possesses 

 more characters than it can give expression to in one individual. 

 Some of them are "hidden" or latent, and when some of these 

 latent ones express themselves they do so at the expense of others 

 which in turn become latent or hidden. 



663. Overproduction. Overproduction and consequent loss 

 or waste is a well-known principle of development in both the 

 plant and animal kingdoms. This is necessary in order that the 

 various kinds of organisms may be reproduced and reach matur- 

 ity, and that the existence of the species may be assured. Condi- 

 tions are not favorable for the performance of the complete func- 

 tion of all reproductive cells or structures. Protection of all 

 individuals against death before maturity and the performance of 

 their normal function of reproduction is not assured. The 

 functioning of reproductive cells is largely dependent on fortui- 

 tous circumstances. In war, if every bullet or instrument of 

 destruction "struck home," the side which produced the most 

 voluminous "fire" would be victorious. But we know that the 

 great majority of balls "go wide of the mark," and victory goes 

 to the side which is the most efficient. 



Of the millions of spores, sperms, eggs, etc., which are pro- 

 duced by plants, very few ever perform their normal function of 

 reproduction. Of the vast number of seeds which are formed, 

 very few ever germinate or form seedlings, and of the seedlings 

 very few form mature plants. In the study of pollination, the 

 sexual organs and reproductive cells, sexual or asexual, in the 

 different groups of plants, the pupil should be encouraged to 

 make note of the vast numbers of these bodies which are pro- 

 duced, their means of dissemination, and the unfavorable chances 

 which the vast majority have of ever fulfilling their normal func- 

 tion, that comparatively few "survive," that these are not always 

 the "fittest" to survive, but are often those which exist under the 

 "fittest" circumstances. 



