Latent Characters 245 



that of the homologous variability. It asserts 

 that the same deviation may occur in different, 

 but homologous parts of the same plant. We 

 have already dealt with some instances, as the 

 occurrence of the same pigment in the flowers 

 and foliage, in the fruits and seeds of the same 

 plant, as also illustrated by the loss of the red 

 or blue tinge by flowers and berries. Other in- 

 stances are afforded by the curious fact that 

 the division of the leaves into numerous and 

 small segments is repeated by the petals, as 

 in the common celandine and some sorts of 

 brambles. 



It would take too long to make a closer exam- 

 ination of the numerous cases which afford 

 proof of these statements. Suffice it to say that 

 everywhere the results of close inspection point 

 to the general rule, that the failure of definite 

 qualities both in species and in varieties must, 

 in a great number of cases, be considered as only 

 apparent. Hidden from view, occasionally re- 

 appearing, or only imperfectly concealed, the 

 same character must be assumed to be present 

 though latent. 



In the case of negative or retrogressive varie- 

 ties it is the transition from the active into a 

 dormant state to which is due the origin of the 

 variety. Positive varieties on the contrary owe 

 their origin to the presence of some character 



