Modification of Germinal Constitution of Organisms 229 



and the \'ariations which occurred were mainly variations 

 which resulted from modifications of the growth processes, 

 influencing leaf proportions, and such characters as pubes- 

 cence, color, etc. 



In experiments with beetles, I have found that the 

 subjection of organisms to unusual environmental stimuli 

 did not as a rule materially change the pattern, and never, 

 as far as I have observed, did it in any way alter the funda- 

 mental pattern basis of the organism. It might appear 

 on superficial inspection that the pattern existed in its origi- 

 nal simplicity, even if it were not manifest to the eye. For 

 instance, in defccta piDictata, it is the inability of the pigment, 

 through some cause or other, to be developed in particular 

 areas. This inhibition of pigmentation may be due to the 

 oxidizing of the pigment to a colorless state. On the other 

 hand, in variations like nielanicum, in which the color pat- 

 tern of many of the parts is distinctly chfferent, as far as 

 superficial inspection is concerned, the underlying pattern 

 is unaltered, and that which goes to make up the dift'erence 

 between mclaniciim and the parent species is simply added 

 development and extension of the color from the original 

 areas around which they develop. This is shown b_\- the 

 fact that during the ontogeny in mdanicum there is an 

 exact recapitulation of the stages through which mdanicum 

 has passed in reaching its present state. This represents 

 an accentuation of existing characters along definite fines. 



In variations of another kind there are indications that 

 fundamental changes in the pattern occur. L. mdanothorax 

 Stal bears a relation to the species L. nndtitacniata Stal 

 either of a constanth' recurring mutant which is unable 

 to survive the conditions under which it arises, or may 

 represent the constant reappearance of a species which 



