330 Agassiz's Contributions to the 
its representatives die, generation after generation. But these representa- 
ae ‘ 
t 
class, the branch, with the same fullness, the same constancy, the same 
precision. Species then exist in nature in the same manner as any other 
groups; they are quite as ideal in their mode of existence as genera, fami- 
hes, etc., or quite as real, But individuals truly exist in a different way; 
no one of them exhibits at one time all the characteristics of the species, 
even though it be hermaphrodite, neither do any two represent it, even 
_ As representatives of Genera, these same individuals have a ogee 
and specific ultimate structure, identical with that of the representatives — 
“ As representatives of Families, these same individuals have & i 
themselves, 
mily contains but one genus, a distinct specific pattern. 
¥y 4 8, Pp p nd in a definite F 
when compared to the representatives of other famules. he plan 
“As representatives of Classes, these same individuals exhibit t : rth 
of structure of their respective type in a special manner, carried ou 
pecial means and in special ways. ees | a 
“ As representatives of Branches, these same individuals are all orgat 
ized upon a distinct plan, differing from the plan of othe 
ty; they 7 
ntatives 
“Viewing individuals in this light, they resume all their digni 
oe 
the time being, of all the riches of nature’s wealth of life. ni 
further teaches us how we may investigate, not only the Agee types q 
the possibility of it in theory. soe a 
© « Having thus cleared the field of what does not belong pat wee : 
remains for me to show what in reality constitutes species, ® 
may be distinguished with precision within their natural limits. 
