220 METAMOEPHOSES OF MAN 



In animals whose development is of the geneagene- 

 tic type, the ovum, like that of animals which under- 

 go transformations and metamorphoses, shows itself 

 in the very outset, and gives rise to a simple being. 

 The latter is devoid of true reproductive organs, and 

 multiplies exclusively by fission, and by external or 

 internal gemni83. From these modes of reproduction, 

 different forms of animals may result. In most 

 instances, but by no means in all, the animal 

 resembles neither its parents nor its offspring. After 

 a certain number of generations the primary type is 

 reproduced, and with it appear the sexual attributes 

 and power of reproduction by ova. All intermediate 

 generations developed between the extreme terms of 

 the series are agamic, that is to say, they are devoid 

 of true reproductive organs, and multiply by internal 

 or external buds, and by fission, exclusively. 



These are the facts : it now remains to be shown how 

 they have been explained at different periods. 



In the commencement, the only attempt made was 

 to associate them with what was already known. 

 Those who discovered the process of multiplication, 

 by budding and fission in animals, — as soon as their 

 temporary surprise had subsided, — satisfied themselves 

 by a simple comparison with the known phenomena 

 of the vegetable world. It was a more difficult task 

 to reconcile the reproduction of Aphides to the gene- 

 rally accepted laws. Till comparatively recently, it 

 gave rise to the most opposite explanations. Anatomy 

 proved that hermaphroditism, although momentarily 

 admitted by Reaumur, had really no existence here ; 

 and, in order to support the hypothesis, most naturalists 

 limited themselves to an endeavour to prove the fact. 



