The Washington times., 1904-10-09
After Many Years Of Tedious Experiment
Prof. Hugo de Vries, BOtanist, An
nounces Modification of
Darwin Dognas.

he says has hitherto been a conven-
tional science, IT IS generally believed
that this important occurrence is with
drawn from actual observation, or AZ
least frcm experimental treatment This
conviction is founded upon the prevail
ing conception concerning specific char
aCters and upon the opinion that species
OF plants and animals are always pro-
dUced from one another by extremely
slow degrees. Ii is thought that these
metamOrDhOses are so slow that hui
man life is not long enough 10 witness
the production OF new form.
'It is my purpose 10 show the 0pDo-
site vieW-that species originate by sud
den starts. and that each one OF these
saItatory occurrences is, as good as
observation shows, a true physiological
process that all such suddenly produced
forms are separated from one another
by at least as sharp and numerous char
acters as are most Of the so-called minor
species and as are many Of the nearly
related forms OF the best systemausts.
ut is thus made possible 10 learn by
means OF actual observation, cultivation,
+ and experiment the laws which govern
E the production Of new species, These
I laws are evidently as applicable 10 ami
mails as 20 plants. AS a b0tanist have
+ confined myself 10 the latter but in the
confident hope that my results viii later
T be also employed ia the study Of ami
/ mails
Mutation forms a special division Of
+ the methods Of variations. II does not
/ occur lovingly, but ga steps, without
I transition and IL occurs less frequently
than do TIE common variations. which
+ are continuously and constantly at hand
I The contrast between the two KINDS
8 at once appears if one considers the
/ proposition that the attributes OF or
I ganisms are built up Of fixed and sharp
I Iy defined units. These units combine
/ in groups and IN the kindred OF species
/ the same units and groups are repro
duced.
Each Unit a Step.
The originatiou Of a new unit signI-
T des a mutation. Every addition OF a
unit TO a group constitutes a step. orig
I mates a new group and separates the
new form sharply and fully as an indi-
/ Vidual species from the one out Of which
F 10 has been produced The new species
. is al 0lce such. and originates from the
+ former species without apparent prep
aratiou and without graduation"
4 Ills present trip is the first IN which
/ Prof de Vries has visited this country.
I lie expressed a great deal OF admiration
1 for America and its Inhabitants. Wash
Z luEtou In particular received q generous
/ share Of praise. The spacious streets of
/ the city are. he said. in marked contrast
1 90 those Of the European cities. The
/ wide avenues ana open places permit
I many different views OF the handsome
+ public buildings which IN other capitals
+ would Doe shut iH by narrow streets and
. gall buildings. lie pronounced the Ii
/ 1rary OF Congress the most beautiful
. edihce in the world.
Science and Government.
He was particularly struck by the
/ generous attention paid 10 science by
I the Government. The practical appIica-
/ ton OF scientific discoveries TO the pur-
SUITS OF the people, and especially TO
Ire agriculL urlsts, p-ae "a America among
. The leading nations of the world from
/ the scientific standpoint In discussing
/ these points, Prof. de Vrles spoke
/ English with a hardly perceptible ac-
/ cent and a familiarity with American
. current affairs that one would not ex-
. pect 10 nud In such a hard working
/ Holland scientist.
do you hHd that your new and start
/ ling theory IS having acceptance in
/ American scientific circIes?" Prof de
/ Vries was asked.
'Everywherc have gone Ia the United
{ States was the reply. "I have found
[ ready acceptance OF it, and more than
anything else d. has met with inteui-
gent appreciation. AT the uDIyt rsiJiss
/ ~ California and Chicago. and here ia
/ Washington nay work has been closely
1 followed and my conclusions adopted as
/ removing the main obstacles 10 the Oar
I uiHl1u theory
your writings, though, have been all
1 most entirely DO German nave they uotF