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The Descent of Man

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Halbertsma, in the 'Transact. <strong>of</strong> the Dutch<br />

Acad. <strong>of</strong> Sciences,' vol. xvi. Dr. Gunther doubts<br />

the fact, but it has now been recorded by too<br />

many good observers to be any longer disputed.<br />

Dr. M. Lessona writes to me, that he has<br />

verified the observations made by Cavolini on<br />

Serranus. Pr<strong>of</strong>. Ercolani has recently shewn<br />

('Accad. delle Scienze,' Bologna, Dec. 28, 1871)<br />

that eels are androgynous.) That various accessory<br />

parts, proper to each sex, are found in a<br />

rudimentary condition in the opposite sex, may<br />

be explained by such organs having been gradually<br />

acquired by the one sex, and then transmitted<br />

in a more or less imperfect state to the<br />

other. When we treat <strong>of</strong> sexual selection, we<br />

shall meet with innumerable instances <strong>of</strong> this<br />

form <strong>of</strong> transmission,—as in the case <strong>of</strong> the<br />

spurs, plumes, and brilliant colours, acquired<br />

for battle or ornament by male birds, and inherited<br />

by the females in an imperfect or rudimentary<br />

condition.

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