Skin Changes, 107 



The character of the quiescent, well-nourished, 

 large egg-cell in some way becomes impressed 

 upon the whole structure, and there arises the 

 large, comparatively quiescent, well-nourished 

 female. 



The reproductive activity of the male, on the 

 other hand, being primarily that of the intensely 

 active, less well-nourished, small sperm-cell, the 

 tissues are harmoniously affected by this all-per- 

 vading activity, and the result is a distinctly mascu- 

 line individual, small, variable, and active. 



In the lower life, where there is in every direc- 

 tion less complexity, less variability, these charac- 

 teristics of male and female are marked. 



The female is large, quiescent, stable, and well- 

 nourished ; the male small, active, variable, and ill- 

 nourished. 



In the higher life these fundamental sex distinc- 

 tions also exist, though often more or less mod- 

 ified and obscured. 



The whole body of the creature, as we have seen, 

 is profoundly modified by the fundamental, com- 

 pelling force of reproduction. 



Deep and significant changes occur at the 

 time of reproductive maturity. The male be- 

 comes stamped ineffaceably by the subtle, con- 

 cealed forces of sex working within him. The 

 female, too, yields to a mysterious power, acting 

 deep within the cells, and claiming her in the name 

 of her sex. 



