Note 243 — Part III. ON THE FINAL CAUSES OF TRANSFORMATION.

[This is the principle of “Degeneration” recognized by Darwin (see “Origin of Species,” 6th ed. p. 389, and “Descent of Man,” vol. i. p. 206), and given fuller expression to by Dr. Anton Dohrn (see his work entitled “Der Ursprung der Wirbelthiere und das Princip des Functionswechsels.” Leipzig, 1875). A large number of cases have been brought together by Prof. E. R. Lankester, in his recent interesting work on “Degeneration, a Chapter in Darwinism.” Nature series, 1880. R.M.]