240 EXPERIMENTAL EVOLUTION LECT. 



organs. From what we have seen, and that which 

 has been done, purposely or unconsciously by man, 

 we may infer that every possible variation may be 

 permanently consolidated as a normal and fixed 

 character, through selection, through the choice of 

 progenitors based on the similarity of the character 

 which it is required to render permanent. 



Some points concerning selection require a passing 

 notice. 



In the first place, scientific investigation being the 

 only aim, the only point in view, it seems advisable to 

 undertake the study of the influence of selection be 

 it on animal or on plant without any particular fore- 

 thought at all. I mean by this that such investi- 

 gations should be begun without any view of obtain- 

 ing a variation and variety in any particular direction. 

 For instance suppose Lysimachia nummularia 

 I quote the first name which occurs to my memory, 

 without the slightest choice among those which 

 come with it is made the subject of an investigation 

 in selection. Well, it would not do to decide before- 

 hand to seek for a new variety having such or such a 

 peculiarity in the roots, or stems, or leaves : one 

 should merely cultivate the plants, and if among them 

 some offered any interesting or curious variation in 

 any part whatever, one ought to begin the process 

 of selection, and try to consolidate in the progeny 



