(iii) Is regeneration as extensive in the groups that do not propagate
by self-division as in those that do?
(iv) Can we account, in any way, for the presence of self-division in
certain groups, and for its absence in others?
(v) What relation exists between the forms that prepare for subsequent
self-division and those that do not?
The first question is easily answered. Regeneration is also found in
nearly all the other groups that do not propagate by self-division,--as,
for instance, the mollusks, vertebrates, etc. The second half of the
question may also be answered. All the groups that propagate by
self-division have also the power of regeneration.[69]
In answer to the second question there is ample evidence showing that
regeneration is by no means confined to those regions of the body in
which the self-division occurs.
In answer to the third question, it may be stated that although, in the
groups that propagate by self-division, regeneration may be present in
nearly all parts of the body, the same phenomenon occurs in other groups
that do not propagate by division.
The fourth question offers many difficulties, and our answer will depend
largely upon what we mean by “_accounting for_” the process in certain
groups. If the question is interpreted to ask, Why does an animal
divide? no answer can be given. If it is meant to ask, Can we see how
the process would be difficult, or even impossible, in certain groups
and not in others? then an approximate answer may be given, or at least
an hypothesis formed. In the first place, the power of regeneration must
be present in the region at which the self-division takes place in order
that the result may lead to the formation of new individuals, or else be
acquired in that region along with the acquirement of the means for
division. A leech is not much more complicated than a marine annelid,
yet it has little or no power of regeneration; hence, perhaps,
propagation by division could not be acquired by the leeches until they
had first acquired the power to regenerate. In the second place, in
certain forms a separation of the body into two parts would lead to the
death of one or of both parts, owing to the dependence of the different
regions upon each other. In forms like the vertebrates, insects,
crustacea, etc., we can readily see why this would be the case. Hence
propagation by means of self-division could not be acquired, since the
division itself would lead to the destruction of the organism. In the
third place, the structure of the body may be such that the process of
self-division would be mechanically impossible. A hard outer coat, like
that of the sea-urchin, combined with a weak development of the
musculature of the body, would effectively prevent the self-division of
the animal.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account