388 THE SELF-FERTILIZATION OP PLANTS. 



development, which is requisite to stave off sterility, 

 and lessened fertility, is an important item in culti- 

 vation. 



Darwin says (p. 505, Vol. ii, Animals and Plants, 

 &c): 



"I have just said, that the crossed offspring would 

 gain in vigor and fertility. From the facts given 

 in the xviith chapter, there can be no doubt of 

 this ; and there can be little doubt * * that long- 

 continued, close-interbreeding leads to evil results. 

 From these various considerations, the conclusion, 

 arrived at in the chapter just referred to, — namely, 

 that great good of some kind, is derived from the 

 sexual concourse of distinct individuals, — must be ad- 

 mitted." 



What a brilliant and satisfying conclusion to come 

 to ! With what admiration must his readers regard 

 him, thus: 



" * * boldly soaring, in sublimer mood, 

 Through trackless skies, on metaphysic wings." 



With what a hush of profoundest awe, must his dis- 

 ciples here contemplate their master, who has just 

 proved that he is capable of discovering, that, in a con- 

 geries of effects, — varying, too infinitely in quantity, — 

 there is at work, some mysterious law ! Good is ob- 

 served to recur, at times, from crossing: Then, the 

 scientist (this scientist, par excellence) frames a " great 

 law of nature," viz., that good recurs ! Truly, the 

 following tribute should be paid, to Darwin's genius, as 

 it was to that of his grandfather, the author of " Loves 

 of the Plants" ': 



