110 METAMORPHOSES OF MAN 



CHAPTER XII. 



NATURE, CAUSES, AND PROCESSES OF METAMORPHOSES. 



CONCLUSION. 



The general conceptions as to the nature of metamor- 

 phosis have always varied with the ruling philosophic 

 doctrines of the time. Some of the facts we have 

 already pointed out were at one period brought for- 

 ward to support the theory of spontaneous generation, 

 of which we shall see more hereafter. And when, by 

 a natural reaction, the hypothesis of evolution was 

 announced, and, owing to the superiority of those who 

 supported it, was almost universally accepted, these 

 same facts and many others were employed in its 

 defence. 



For example, according to Reaumur, there is no 

 such thing as real production ; development is the only 

 phenomenon he recognized. Plants and animals which 

 to us appear to be newly formed, have always existed, 

 but only appear when circumstances admit of their 

 growing sufficiently large to be recognized by our 

 senses. What is true of the whole is true of its parts; 

 consequently the metamorphoses of an insect are only 

 apparent. According to this doctrine, the butterfly, 

 which flies from flower to flower, has lived since 

 the creation of the world, and has possessed all its 

 organs, wings, proboscis, feet, scales, etc. The 

 chrysalis and caterpillar inclose it, and are, as 



