II NEOTENIA 113 



lengthening of the gill-breathing period. 1 If it could 

 be shown that sexual maturity may occur although the 

 tadpole state is lengthened, and that sexual reproduc- 

 tion may take place, although this is on obvious a 

 priori grounds very improbable, we might perhaps try 

 to obtain a new species which would exhibit very 

 marked physiological features. 



1 Camerano, Stir le Developfenient dcs Amphibiens, et sur ce que ton 

 a nomme chez eiix la Neotenie. Arch. c 'ltaliennes de Biologic, vol. v., 

 1884, p. 27. Recherches sur la Prolongation de la Periode branchial e 

 des Amphibiem. Ibid., p. 29. Recherches sur le Developpement et les 

 Causes du Polymorphisme des Tetards des Amphibiens anoiires. Ibid., 

 xv. 1891, p. 165. 



