Where a typical half- or quarter-development from isolated blastomeres
happens to occur, we know already that the impossibility of a regulation
of the *intimate polar-bilateral* structure may account for it. As this
impossibility of regulation probably rests on rather simple physical
conditions[30] it may properly be stated that equal distribution of
potencies is not wanting but is only overshadowed here. In this respect
there exists a logical difference of fundamental importance between
those cases of so-called “partial” or better, “fragmental” development
of isolated blastomeres in which a certain embryonic organ is wanting
on account of its specific morphogenetic material being absent, and
those cases in which the “fragmental” embryo lacks complete “halves” or
“quarters” with regard to general symmetry on account of the symmetry
of its intimate structure being irregularly disturbed. This logical
difference has not always received the attention which it undoubtedly
deserves. Our hypothetical intimate structure in itself is, of course,
also a result of factors concerned in ovogenesis. Only in one case do
we actually know anything about its origin: Roux has shown that in the
frog it is the accidental path of the fertilising spermatozoon in the
egg which, together with the polar axis, normally determines the plane
of bilateral symmetry; but this symmetry may be overcome and replaced
by another, if gravity is forced to act in an abnormal manner upon the
protoplasm; the latter showing parts of different specific gravity in
the eggs of all Amphibia.
[30] It seems that these physical conditions also--besides the real
specifications in the organisation of the egg--may be different before
and after maturation or (in other cases) fertilisation. (See Driesch,
*Archiv f. Entwickelungsmechanik*, 7, p. 98; and Brachet, *ibid.* 22, p.
325.)
*The Neutrality of the Concept of “Potency”*
Now we may close our rather long chapter on the distribution of
potencies in the germ; it has been made long, because it will prove to
be very important for further analytical discussion; and its importance,
in great measure, is due to its freedom from prepossessions. Indeed,
the concept of prospective potency does not prejudice anything; we
have said, it is true, that limitations of potencies may be due to
the presence of specific parts of organisation in some cases; that,
at least, they may be connected therewith; but we have not determined
at all what a prospective potency really is, what the term really is
to signify. It may seem that such a state of things gives an air of
emptiness to our discussions, that it leaves uncertain what is the most
important. But, I think, our way of argument, which tries to reach the
problems of greatest importance by degrees, though it may be slow, could
hardly be called wrong and misleading.
β. THE “MEANS” OF MORPHOGENESIS
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