Latent Characters 233 



latent, which would about express the real state 

 of things, would have little chance of coming 

 into general use. 



Such sub-latent colors are often seen on spe- 

 cial parts in white varieties of flowers. In 

 many cases it is the outer side of the petals 

 which recalls the specific color, as in some white 

 roses. In violets it is often on the spur that 

 the remains of the original . pigment are to be 

 seen. In many instances it is on the tips of 

 the petals or of the segments of the corolla, and 

 a large number of white or yellow flowers be- 

 tray their affinity to colored species by becom- 

 ing red or bluish at the edges or on the outer 

 side. 



The reality of such very slight hues, and their 

 relation to the original pigment of the species 

 may in some cases be proved by direct experi- 

 ment. If it is granted that latency is not an ab- 

 solute quality, then it will be readily accepted, 

 that even latency must be subjected to the laws 

 of gradual variation or fluctuating variability. 

 We will deal with these laws in a later 

 lecture but every one knows that greater de- 

 viations than the ordinary may be attained by 

 sowing very large numbers and by selecting 

 from among them the extreme individuals and 

 sowing anew from their seed. In this way the 

 slightest tinge of any latent color may be 



