mutative

Updated: May 11, 2025

These two main factors are consequently to be assumed in all hypothetic conceptions of previous mutative periods. Are all mutations to be considered as limited to such periods? Of course not. Stray mutations may occur as well. Our knowledge concerning this point is inadequate for any definite statement. Swarms of variable species are easily recognized, if the remnants are not too few.

Hugo de Vries - Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation

In nature the dying out of unfit mutations is the result of the great struggle for life. In a previous lecture we have compared its agency with that of a sieve. All elements which are too small or too weak fall through, and only those are preserved which resist the sifting process. Reduced in number they thrive and multiply and are thus enabled to strike out new mutative changes.

Hugo de Vries - Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation

In this respect the historic dates, as collected by Korshinsky, are not very convincing. Vicinism has of course, almost never been excluded, and part of the multiformity of the offspring must obviously be due to this most universal agency. Indirect vicinism also plays some part, and probably affords the explanation of some reputed mutative productions of the variety.

Hugo de Vries - Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation