And since the definition, given to this term by
its author, Duchesne, is generally accepted in scientific works, it
seems better not to use it in another sense, but rather to replace it in
such cases by another term. For this purpose I propose the word
vicinism, derived from the Latin vicinus or neighbor, as indicating the
sporting of a variety under the influence of others in its vicinity.
Used in this way, this term has the same bearing as the word atavism of
the breeders, but it has the advantage of indicating the true cause
thereof.
It is well known that the term variability is commonly employed in the
broadest possible sense. No single phenomenon can be designated by this
name, unless some primary restriction be given. Atavism and vicinism are
both cases of variability, but in wholly different sense. For this
reason it may be as well, to insert here a short survey of the general
meanings to be conveyed by the term variation. It implies in the first
place the occurrence of a wide range of forms and types, irrespective of
their origin, and in the second place the process of the change in such
forms. In the first signification it is nearly identical with
polymorphy, or richness of types, especially so when these [189] types
are themselves quite stable, or when it is not at all intended to raise
the question of their stability.
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