If, then, in cases where we can test it, we find no concomitant
variation in co-operative parts that are near together—if we do not find
it in parts which, though belonging to different tissues, are so closely
united as teeth and jaws—if we do not find it even when the co-operative
parts are not only closely united, but are formed out of the same
tissue, like the crab's eye and its peduncle; what shall we say of
co-operative parts which, besides being composed of different tissues,
are remote from one another? Not only are we forbidden to assume that
they vary together, but we are warranted in asserting that they can have
no tendency to vary together. And what are the implications in cases
where increase of a structure can be of no service unless there is
concomitant increase in many distant structures, which have to join it
in performing the action for which it is useful?
As far back as 1864 (_Principles of Biology_, § 166) I named in
illustration an animal carrying heavy horns—the extinct Irish elk; and
indicated the many changes in bones, muscles, blood-vessels, nerves,
composing the fore-part of the body, which would be required to make an
increment of size in such horns advantageous. Here let me take another
instance—that of the giraffe: an instance which I take partly because,
in the sixth edition of the _Origin of Species_, issued in 1872, Mr.
Darwin has referred to this animal when effectually disposing of certain
arguments urged against his hypothesis. He there says:—
“In order that an animal should acquire some structure specially and
largely developed, it is almost indispensable that several other
parts should be modified and co-adapted. Although every part of the
body varies slightly, it does not follow that the necessary parts
should always vary in the right direction and to the right degree”
(p. 179).
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account