species of animals before their nativity, as, for example, when the
offspring reproduces the effects produced upon the parent by
accident or culture, or the changes produced by the mixture of
species, as in mules; or the changes produced probably by exuberance
of nourishment supplied to the foetus, as in monstrous births with
additional limbs; many of these enormities are propagated and
continued as a variety at least, if not as a new species of animal.
I have seen a breed of cats with an additional claw on every foot;
of poultry also with an additional claw and with wings to their
feet; and of others without rumps. Mr. Buffon" (who, by the way,
surely, was no more "Mr. Buffon" than Lord Salisbury is "Mr.
Salisbury") "mentions a breed of dogs without tails which are common
at Rome and Naples--which he supposes to have been produced by a
custom long established of cutting their tails close off." {102a}

Here not one of the causes of variation adduced is connected with
use and disuse, or effort, volition, and purpose; the manner,
moreover, in which they are brought forward is not that of one who
shows signs of recalcitrancy about admitting other causes of
modification as well as use and disuse; indeed, a little lower down
he almost appears to assign the subordinate place to functionally
produced modifications, for he says--"Fifthly, from their first
rudiments or primordium to the termination of their lives, all
animals undergo perpetual transformations; WHICH ARE IN PART
PRODUCED by their own exertions in consequence of their desires and
aversions, of their pleasures and their pains, or of irritations or
of associations; and many of these acquired forms or propensities
are transmitted to their posterity."

I have quoted enough to show that Dr. Erasmus Darwin would have