Darwin, and After Darwin, Volume 2 of 3: Post-Darwinian Questions: Heredity and UtilityRomanes, George John
Science
Darwin, and After Darwin, Volume 2 of 3: Post-Darwinian Questions: Heredity and Utility
Romanes, George John
Evolution (Biology); Heredity
Here, then, deterioration as to size of structure (wings of birds), and
deterioration as to complexity of structure (brain and eyes) are
expressly put upon the same footing. Therefore, if in the latter case
the "tendency to deterioration" does not "demand an explanation," beyond
the fact that the hitherto maintaining influence has been withdrawn,
neither is any such further explanation demanded in the former case.
Which is exactly my own view of the matter. It is also Mr. Galton's
view. For although, in the passage formerly quoted, Professor Lloyd
Morgan appears to think that by the phrase "Regression to Mediocrity"
Mr. Galton means to indicate that panmixia can cause degeneration only
as far as the mediocrity level of the first generations, this, in point
of fact, is not what Galton means, nor is it what he says. The phrase in
question occurs "in another connexion," and, indeed, in a different
publication. But where he expressly alludes to the cessation of
selection, this is what he says. The italics are mine.
"A special cause may be assigned for the effects of use in causing
hereditary _atrophy_ of disused parts. It has already been shown
that all exceptionally developed organs tend to deteriorate:
consequently, those that are not _protected_ by selection will
_dwindle_. The level of muscular efficiency in the wing of a
strongly flying bird [curiously enough, the same case that is
chosen by Professor Lloyd Morgan to illustrate his opposite view],
is like the level of water in the leaky vessel of a Danaid, only
secured to the race by _constant effort_, so to speak. _Let the
effort be relaxed ever so little, and the level immediately
falls[145]._"
[145] _A Theory of Heredity_, Journal of Anthropological Institute,
1875. Vol. v. p. 345.
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