IV. 



EXPERIMENTAL EVOLUTION AMONGST 

 PLANTS.' 



De Varigny has written a most suggestive book upon 

 experimental evolution, in which he contends for the 

 establishment of an institution where experiments can 

 be definitely undertaken for the purpose of transforming 

 aspeeies into a new species. "In experimental trans- 

 formism," he writes, "lies the only test which we can 

 apply to the evolutionary theory. We must use all the 

 methods we are acquainted with, and also those, yet 

 unknown, which cannot fail to disclose themselves when 

 we begin a thorough investigation of the matter, and do 

 our utmost to bring about the transmutation of any 

 species. We do not specially desire to transform any 



' Read before the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Boston, February 2.'!, 

 1895. Printed iu the Society's Transactions for 1895, pp. 88 to 100. Abstract in 

 American Naturalist, April, 1895, p. 318. 



The minutes of the Society make the following record : 



Before entering upon the proper subject of the hour, the speaker made some 

 introductory remarks concerning the present state of belief in the theory of evo- 

 lution. A brief abstract of these remarks is here given : 



Every thoughtful person at the present day is an evolutionist, although he 

 may not know it. Everyone now considers every movement, either of human 

 society or of natural forces, in connection with its origin and gradual growth or 

 development. A person may be an evolutionist without subscribing to any par- 

 ticular doctrine of the origin of species or to any specific dogma either of re- 

 ligion or science. Evolution in the abstract means merely a gradual unfolding or 

 growth. In the organic world, the term is used to designate the belief in the 

 origin of one form or one species from another. Its use does not necessarily 

 imply that one believes in the origin of all things from one species or from many. 

 It simply means that a person sees growth, development and progression in nature. 



There are two chief reasons for the belief in the evolution of animals and 

 plants : First, the fact of struggle for existence : second, the fact that there are 

 constantly recurring physical changes. The struggle for existence is the neces- 

 sary result of the multiplication of species, and the physical changes necessitate 



(107) 



