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“ Organic beings, when subjected during several generations to 
any change whatever in their conditions, tend to vary ; the kind of 
variation which ensues depending in a far higher degree on the 
nature or constitution of the being than on the nature of the changed 
conditions.”—(The Variatio?i. vol. ii., ft. 250.) 
Hence,— 
“ The nature of the conditions is of subordinate importance in 
comparison with the nature of the organism in determining each par 
ticular form of variation ; perhaps of not more importance than the 
nature of the spark, by which the mass of combustible matter is 
ignited, has in determining the nature of the flames.”—(Origin of 
Species, ft. 8.) 
“ If the mere presence of these incident forces produces so ready a 
response in animals and plants, it must be that there are, in their 
case, conditions disposing and enabling them so to respond, accord 
ing to the old maxim, ‘ Quicquid reciftiiur, reciftitur ad modum 
recipientis ’ ; as the same rays of light which bleach a piece of 
silk, blacken nitrate of silver.”—(Mivart. The Genesis of Species, 
ft. /66.) 
In the same way, Professor Lloyd Morgan contends that 
the crystal exhibits an inherent tendency to a particular 
type of crystallisation, and argues that, in the organic 
world, inherent tendency and influence of environment 
come into play. 
How this inherent tendency first came into being, is 
another matter, but it is not improbable that the response 
of the organism has been gradually acquired. But if we 
regard some existing species as already endowed with this 
inherent tendency, it is obvious, on the face of it, that it 
will produce definite effects on all the individuals con 
cerned, and that the principle of selection will be required 
less than ever. 
As an illustration of the action of transforming, as 
opposed to selecting, influence in nature, we may take 
the case of organic coloration. This is supposed to be 
the stronghold of Natural Selection. I have endeavoured 
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