i8 LAMARCK, HIS LIFE AND WORK 



e limits between these species, supposed to be con- 

 ant,, are not so rigid as is supposed. 

 " In truth, nothing often results from these singular 

 lions, especially when they are very incongruous, as 

 e individuals which result from them are usually 

 erile ; but also, when the disparities are less great, it 

 known that the drawbacks (d^fauts) with which 

 has to do no longer exist. However, this means 

 one sufifices to gradually create the varieties which 

 ive afterwards arisen from races, and which, with 

 Tie, constitute that which we call species. 

 " To judge whether the idea which is formed of 

 lecies has any real foundation, let us return to the 

 tnsiderations which I have already stated ; they are, 

 imely — 



" I. That all the organic bodies of our globe are 

 ;ritable productions of nature, which she has created 

 succession at the end of much time. 

 " 2. That in her course nature has begun, and 

 ;gins anew every day, by forming the simplest or- 

 mic bodies, and that she directly forms only these 

 -that is to say, only these first primitive germs 

 bauches) of organization, which have been badly 

 laracterized by the expression of " spontaneous gen- 

 ations" {quon a ddiign^ts mal-a-propos par I'expres- 

 on de Generations spontanees). 



" 3. That the first germs {^bauches) of the animals 

 id plants were formed in favorable places and cir- 

 imstances. The functions of life beginning and an 

 ■ganic movement established, these have necessarily 

 adually developed the organs, so that after a time 

 id under suitable circumstances they have been difTer- 

 itiated, as also the different parts {elles les out diver- 

 fie's ainsi qui les parties^. 



"4. That the power of increase in each portion of 

 •ganic bodies being inherited at the first produc- 

 on {effets) of life, it has given rise to different 

 odes of multiplication and of regeneration of indi- 



