256 



THE AMEBIC 



ALIST 



[Vol. LI 



sidered a pregnant fact, in the present connection at least, that 

 indifferent variations provide no basis for selective elimination. 



In the same two series of bees the variation in the number of 

 hooks npon the costal margin of the hind wings was determined 

 without significant difference appearing in the two cases. In this 

 instance, since the hooks appear to operate to the insects' ad- 

 vantage in binding the fore and hind wings of each side together, 

 it seems plausible enough at first glance, that the more hooks 

 there are the more efficiently their function will be discharged. 

 Upon second thought, however, a difficulty suggests itself. The 

 number of hooks varies from 19 to 29 in different individuals, 

 but even the smaller number may, for all that is known to the 

 contrary, perform perfectly the function ascribed to them. In 

 that event the others are superfluous and the advantage they 

 confer entirely fictitious. But waive the objection, and what 

 follows? Simply a conclusion which in its relation to the 

 present argument is already invalidated: Variations of the 

 maiinitude indicated provide no "handle" for natural selection. 



It is unnecessary to carry the examination of the evidence 

 farther. The three papers which have been reviewed are not 

 carefully selected for criticism, but are the last, and apparently 

 tlie most important, of six cortifi(Nl to V)e "fairly representa- 



«Lon^ricy, W. II., 1914, Rcj^ort upon color of fishes of the Tortugas 



Book No. 14, pp. 208-209; 1916; "The Significniice of the Colors' of Trop- 

 ical Reef Fishes," Carnegie Inst, of Washington, Year Book No. I;!, pp. 

 209-212;^ 1916, "Observations upon Tropical Fishes and Inforeuces from 



