﻿104 CLEMENS' SYNOPSIS OF 



originated from the accidental combinations of inorganic matter. But the physiologi- 

 cal truth of the question, lies in the incapability of germ-cells to vary from their 

 specific plan of ultimate development. And although the ovum has formed an integ- 

 ral part of an antecedent form, the structural evolution of a perfect being from it, or 

 the germinal capacity of the ovum, does not represent the parent or organism pro- 

 ducing it, but its species and at the same time its genus, family, order and class. 



There remains still another element of disorder to be taken into consideration, which 

 results in the production of a variety known as the hybrid.* 



The entire question of hybridity stands in need of a careful re-examination. Con- 

 clusions have been promulgated and received as the general laws upon this subject, and 

 are usually regarded as decisive, although I cannot conceive why its investigation 

 should be looked upon as exhausted. Probably no other portion of natural history 

 affords opportunities so convenient to pursue this study as Entomology, and I hope 

 some student will follow it in the proper philosophic spirit. 



The variety resulting from hybridity is generally regarded as transient, displaying 

 the specific characteristics of both parents ; as incapable of continuing itself with one 

 of its own kind, but fertile with the parent stock and of course reverting to it. 

 Whether it is possible to establish a permanent variety, either by the intermixture of a 

 hybrid and a species closely allied to the parent stock or by any other means, is an 

 interesting but undetermined question in Entomology. Dr. Ha gen of Germany has 

 recently displayed much interest in this subject, but has not investigated it experi- 

 mentally, so far as I am informed. The few cases of hybridity that have been recorded 

 have taken place in nature, or have been the result of mere individual caprice on the 

 part of experimentalists, and without reference to the determination of any of the 

 numerous questions to which it gives rise. Hence, hybridity can be noticed here only 

 as a cause of variation in Insects, and how far it may have complicated, or may be 

 capable of complicating the determination of species from the characters of the perfect 

 being, must be left to future investigation. 



Since the above was written, my friend Dr. John L. Le Conte, of Philadelphia, has 

 suggested an important consideration, which should not be forgotten by those who 

 may attempt to investigate this subject. If hybridity is capable of giving rise to a 

 permanent variety, or seriously complicating the determination of species, such inter- 

 mixture has most probably already taken place, in species of the same . geographical distri- 

 bution, to a degree that has exhausted the capability of further intermixture. For it 

 seems most improbable to suppose, that species capable of producing permanent inter- 



*The Entomologist Weekly Intelligencer, London, 1857, No. 50, p. 188 ; No. 51, p. 197 ; No. 60, p. 62. The 

 same 1858, No. 81, p. 22; No. 94, p. 127 ; No. 88, p. 77, with the letter of Mr. House.— Stettin, Ent. Zeitung, 

 1858. 



