of Edinburgh, Session 1885 - 86 . 
927 
degenerations of the ovary will doubtless admit of similar description, 
while the abnormal regions in amphibian testes may he similarly 
referred to restriction of the area of predominant katabolism. 
(7) The application of the conception of anabolic and katabolic 
rhythm to organs and functions , sheds a new light on several 
familiar processes. If the female sex be indeed preponderatingly 
anabolic, we should expect this to show itself in distinctive functions, 
and so it is. Menstruation is thus explained as the means of getting 
rid of the anabolic surplus in absence of the foetal consumption. Just 
as it is intelligible that the process should stop after fertilisation, 
when replaced by the demands of the foetal parasite, so the occur- 
rence of lactation as the outcome of a still preponderant anabolism, 
and the final return of menstruation, become lucid and reasonable. 
So in a widely different region the distinctly anabolic overflow of 
nectar ceases at fertilisation, and the surplus of continued pre- 
ponderant anabolism is drafted into the growing fruit, In the 
male, too, similar expression is given to preponderant katabolic 
diathesis. Even associated organs may be influenced by the general 
tendency. Thus the kidneys of the stickleback, greatly affected 
by mature testes, are known to produce special waste or katabolic 
elements in the form of mucous threads, which instinct has sub- 
sequently utilised in the familiar nest-building. So, too, various 
peculiar sexual functions, such as those frequently associated with 
the maturation of the sexes, will doubtless admit of being explained 
not merely (and more or less metaphysically) as the result of sexual 
selection, but really and ultimately as the outcome of anabolic or 
katabolic preponderance. 
(8) The general average difference in form and habit between 
male and female has been already referred to as an inductive argu- 
ment in support of the theory that the males are predominantly 
katabolic, and the females as emphatically anabolic. Conversely, 
the fundamental conception of protoplasm, i.e ., life, may be 
applied to the interpretation of the details both of form and 
habit. Thus, every one is familiar with cases such as Bonellia, 
Rotifers, and Cirripedes, where the males are mere pigmies 
in comparison with the females. Here a long continuance of 
predominant katabolism has brought its peculiar nemesis. Where 
the reproduction of the female throws a larger share of energising 
