Other instances are afforded by the curious fact
that the division of the leaves into numerous and small segments is
repeated by the petals, as in the common celandine and some sorts of
brambles.
It would take too long to make a closer examination of the numerous
cases which afford proof of these statements. Suffice it to say that
everywhere the results of close inspection point to the general rule,
that the failure of definite qualities both in species and in varieties
must, in a great number of cases, be considered as only apparent. Hidden
from view, occasionally reappearing, or only imperfectly concealed, the
same character must be assumed to be present though latent.
In the case of negative or retrogressive varieties it is the transition
from the active into a dormant state to which is due the origin of the
variety. Positive varieties on the contrary owe their origin to the
presence of some character [246] in the species in the latent state, and
to the occasional re-energizing thereof.
Specific or varietal latency is not the same thing as the ordinary
latency of characters that only await their period of activity, or the
external influence which will awake them. They are permanently latent,
and could well be designated by the word perlatent. They spring into
activity only by some sudden leap, and then at once become independent
of ordinary external stimulation.
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