The best nourished not only during the period of sensibility of
the attribute under consideration, but also in the broadest sense of the
word.
This discussion casts a curious light upon the whole question of
selection. Not of course upon the choice of elementary species or
varieties out of the original motley assembly which nature and old
cultures offer us, but upon the selection of the best individuals for
isolation and for the improvement of the race. These are, according to
my views, only the best nourished ones. Their external conditions have
been the [391] most favorable, not only from the beginning of their own
life in the field, but also during their embryonic stages, and even
during the preparation of these latter in the life of their parents and
perhaps even their grandparents. Selection then, would only be the
choice of the best nourished individuals.
In connection with the foregoing arguments I have tried to separate the
choicest of the poppies with the largest crown of pistilloid stamens,
from the most vigorous individuals. As we have already seen, these two
attributes are as a rule proportional to one another. Exceptions occur,
but they may be explained by some later changes in the external
circumstances, as I have also pointed out. As a rule, these exceptions
are large fruits with comparatively too few converted stamens; they are
exactly the contrary from what is required for a selection.
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