2i8 



LAMAECK'S THEOEY OF THE 



[Ch. XXXIV. 



species are arranged in a series, and placed near to eacli 

 otlier, with due regard to their natural affinities, they each 

 differ in so minute a degree from those next adjoining, that 

 they almost melt into each other, and are in a manner con- 

 founded together. If we see isolated species, we may presume 

 the absence of some more closely connected, and which have 

 not yet been discovered. Already are there genera, and 



even entire 

 approximation 



— nay, whole classes — which present an 



If, when species have been thus placed in a regular series, 

 we select one, and then, making a leap over several inter- 

 mediate ones, we take a second, at 



some 



first, these two will, on comparison, be seen to be very dis- 



similar ; and it is m this manner 



to study the objects which are at his own door. He then 

 finds it an easy task to establish generic and specific distinc- 

 tions ; and it is only when his experience is enlarged^ and 

 when he has made himself master of the intermediate links, 



n. But while we 



difficulties and ambiguities beg 



mm 



attempt 



between individuals which we know to have descended from 

 a common stock ; and these newly acquired peculiarities are 

 regularly transmitted from one generation to another, consti- 

 tuting what are called races. 



From a great number of facts, continues the author, we 

 learn that in proportion as the individuals of one of our 

 species change their situation, climate, and manner of living, 

 they change also, by little and little, the consistence and 

 proportions of tlieir parts, their form, their faculties, and 

 even their organisation, in such a manner that everything in 

 them comes at last to participate in the mutations to which 

 they have been exposed. Even in the same climate, a great 

 difference of situation and exposure causes individuals to 

 vary ; but if these individuals continue to live and to be 

 reproduced under the same difference of circumstances, 

 distinctions are brought about in them which become in 

 some degree essential to their existence. In a word, at the 

 end of many successive generations, these individuals, which 



Cji 



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f 





^ 



f 



' ^r ^ for - 

 f'' llv tran^ 



there, and ^^^ 



by ^^?^^; "^ 



petuates itsell 

 botanists wli( 



species. •»■ 

 of Bourisliui^' 

 aire rise to a 

 more develop 

 quite peculiar 



What uaf 

 occasion sudd' 

 a species has '. 



vegetable, 



ta 



a 



J 



gardeng, und 



recognisable 

 kin- be-:ino 



2s were cr 

 ^^aU^^ and gix] 



other; - 



tneir ;' 



1-v^ to the 



peir ^^ 



J 



^il 



Of 



Plt^ 



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