632 
for reproduction is not possible. This cannot be regarded as equi- 
valent to rejuvenescence, since rejuvenescence is a process neces- 
sary for the maintenance of reproduction, and ought to occur 
periodically entirely independently of external conditions, whilst 
according to the above view conjugation originally only pre- 
sented itself under unfavourable conditions of life and helped 
the species to surmount them. 
Amongst the higher Protozoa the original import of conjuga- 
tion seems already to have dropped into the background, as 
shown in the change in the nature of the process itself. The 
higher Infusoria are only temporarily fused with one another in 
conjugation, and it appears possible, and even probable, that 
the process has here already attained the full significance of 
sexual reproduction, and is to be regarded as functional as a 
source of variability only. 
Amphigonic reproduction, having existed through countless 
generations of Protozoa in the form of conjugation, passed over 
to the Metazoa, and, though its original physiological effect lost 
importance or retired altogether into the background, was pre- 
served from extinction and firmly retained because of the im- 
measurable advantages which are conferred by it in endowing 
the species with the power of adapting itself to new conditions 
of existence. The formation of new species which was possible 
amongst the lower Protozoa even without amphigony, amongst 
the Metazoa and Metaphyta was to be attained only by that 
process. 
Amphigony has been lost in certain cases, either partially, as 
in the case of some lower Crustacea amongst which partheno- 
genetic generations alternate with sexual, or entirely, as in the 
case of certain gall-insects and plant-lice amongst which partheno- 
genesis has become the only form of reproduction. Such restriction 
to parthenogenetic reproduction may act so as to secure the exist- 
ence of a species for a time, but according to the views as to the 
origin of hereditary variability here maintained, such a species 
dependent on parthenogenesis alone for reproduction must be 
near its period of dying out, as unable to adapt itself to any new 
conditions of existence which may arise, since in the loss of 
amphigonic reproduction it has lost the capability of mingling 
and increasing the individual hereditable peculiarities which occur 
amongst its members. 
This conclusion is supported by the fact that no whole groups 
or genera occur the species of which are entirely parthenogenetic 
in their reproduction, 
The persistence of functionless organs in species which are repro- 
duced parthenogenetically is a further corroboration of the general 
view as totheimport of amphigonic reproduction here maintained. 
Since acquired peculiarities are not inherited, organs which fall 
out of use cannot become vestiges in a direct way, as has 
been hitherto assumed to be the case. The functionless organ 
becomes indeed weaker and less fully developed in the individual 
which does not use it, but this reduction in the organ is not 
transmitted to the offspring. 
The explanation of the undoubted fact that such organs do 
become vestiges must be sought elsewhere. In order that 
any particular part of the body in any species may be maintained 
at the height of its functions, all individuals which possess this 
part in less completely perfect development must be excluded from 
participation in the act of reproduction by perishing in the struggle 
for existence. As soon, however, as an organ ceases to be use- 
ful, this uninterrupted selection of the individuals with the best 
organs for the purpose of reproduction ceases also, and a con- 
dition arises which the author terms ‘ panmixia.” Now not only 
the individuals with the best organs participate in reproduction, 
but also those with inferior ones. A mixture of all kinds of 
gradations in goodness and badness in the organ must be the 
inevitable result, and thus in the course of time a universal 
deterioration in the organ must be produced. The remarkable 
fact that the gradual disappearance of functionless organs is 
extremely slow appears much more in keeping with the above 
views as to the nature of the process than with those hitherto 
adopted. The effect of disease of an organ in the course of a 
single life is a very well marked one, and if it were transmissible 
even to a reduced extent direct to the offspring, the organ must 
become reduced to a minimum even in a hundred generations, 
Yet how many million generations must have elapsed since the 
whalebone whale abandoned the use of its teeth? 
If this new view of the cause of the reduction of disused 
organs is assumed as correct, it follows that vestiges of organs 
can occur only amongst species with amphigonic reproduction, 
NATURE 
ee eee 
| scholars cannot be all misdirected ? 
not amongst those with parthenogenetic reproduction only, and | 
[Oct. 28, 1886 
this appears to be the case. Superfluous organs do not become 
rudimentary in species parthenogenetically reproduced. As far 
as the author’s investigations extend, the receptaculum seminis 
does not become aborted in such species, although it is entirely 
without function. Thus in Chermes, which is without males, 
the receptaculum seminis is present in the females unchanged ; 
whilst, on the other hand, in Aphis, another plant-louse in w hich 
amphigonic reproduction is not extinct, but alternates regularly 
with parthenogenesis, the receptaculum seminis has become lost 
in the summer female. 
These evidences in favour of the general views here expressed 
form, of course, no absolute proof of their correctness, but 
only give evidence in favour of their probability. Further 
evidence cannot be offered at present, the phenomena dealt with 
being extremely complicated and their explanation being such 
as can only be approached gradually. 
The author, however, considers that he has plainly shown that 
the selection theory is by no means incompatible with the con- 
ception of the ‘‘continuity of the germ-plasma,” and further, 
that as soon as this conception is accepted as correct sexual 
reproduction appears in an entirely new light, displays a reason 
for its existence, and becomes to a certain extent compre- 
hensible, H. N. MoseLey 
above theories by Prof. 
Sur Wissenschafiliche 
N.B. A criticism of Prof. Weismann’s 
von Kolliker appears in the Zeitschrift 
Zoolugie, in the October part just issued. 
THE FUNCTION OF A UNIVERSITY 
I GRATEFULLY accept the honour with which I have been 
invested thus publicly, and with such kindly feeling. In the 
future, as in the past, I shall give you my best endeavours. 
By a fortunate accident it has happened that I am not called 
upon to speak to you on behalf of the University of California 
before I know somewhat of it. The six months which have 
elapsed since I entered upon the duties of the high office which 
I now hold, I have utilised in studying with minute care the 
University in its main features and in some of its details. This 
is not the place nor the time to speak of minor matters. It is, 
however, the very place and the very time for me to say to this 
audience that no friend of the University has any cause to fear, 
so long as all of us, Regents, Professors, and students alike, 
remain united in the future, as we are at this present moment, in 
a single effort toward the same high ends. 
For nearly a hundred years the American Republic lived, and 
grew, and prospered, and the community of nations hardly knew 
her, and barely gave her place. So, on a smaller scale, it has 
been in California. The University here has lived, and grown, 
and prospered, and the communities outside of our own small 
circle hardly know us, and grant us our place reluctantly. It is 
a perfectly safe prediction that within the next twenty years, 
possibly within the next ten, the State of California will find 
suddenly that here in her midst she has a force on which she 
never reckoned—a reserve on which she never counted. 
It is easy to see what advantages would come if this convic- 
tion were now wide-spread and firmly held. It is easy to seek 
feverishly to make ourselves quickly known, in order that we 
may be more widely useful. But, I am more and more con- 
vinced that if we are always ready, like a strong man, our 
opportunity will be here almost before we realise it. 
Vital Points and Fundamental Principles. —What, then, are 
the aims upon which our eyes must be ever fixed, and toward 
which our energies must be ever directed? I will not name 
them all, nor count them over one by one. But I think that I can 
point out certain vital points that must be guarded ; certain prin- 
ciples that must be fundamental. Let us consider the demands 
which the community makes of the University, and again, the 
standards which the University should set for its individual 
| members. 
In the first place we must carefully examine what it is that 
we, as citizens, demand from the University. We must see to 
it that what we demand is consonant with what we ought to 
demand. If we find that we disagree with what seems to us to 
be the position of the University, ought we not in fairness to 
calmly inquire which of the two is right? Is there not at least 
a certain presumption that the efforts of a body of intelligent 
The usual and careless way 
of meeting this question, even on the part of those who count 
* Inaugural Address by President Holden at the University of California. 
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