With respect to my strong objection to Aug.

St.Hilaire's language on AFFAIBLISSEMENT (320/4.

This refers to his "Lecons de Botanique (Morphologie Vegetale)," 1841.

Saint-Hilaire often explains morphological differences as due to differences in vigour.

See Letter 319.), it is perhaps hardly rational, and yet he confesses that some of the most vigorous plants in nature have some of their organs struck with this weakness--he does not pretend, of course, that they were ever otherwise in former generations--or that a more vigorously growing plant produces organs less weakened, and thus fails in producing its typical structure.