EVOLUTION DRAMA

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11132, 15 February 1930, Page 6

EVOLUTION DRAMA

MUTATION IN HUMANS. A CLAW- FINGER ID FAMILY. A mutation is a sudden and unexpected divergence of an individual of a species front the standard type. For insjtance, it gardeners had observed for litany generations that all the petals of all the fluteers of a certain species were always: white and never any other colour, the sudden appearance of pink How. ers of this snecies would be a mutation. If some or all of tlie seeds from this Jlower produced plants with pink flowers or plants which, although white themselves, gave rase by suitable breeding to some pink flowers in the next generation, we would have a heritable imitation. Mutations of this kind happen from time to time in various species of plants and anima's. Numerous cases are known of deformities in man which affect the hands and feet originating as mutations and showing dominance to normal conditions in inheritance A new mutation affecting the nails of the fingers and toes camo to light in a certain family some time ago. The case under consideration is that of a man, ■?. native of the Philippines, married, and having nine children. His nails are clawlike His parents and grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers, cousins, nephews, 'and nieces are all free of this abnormality, and careful search failed to reveal any record of a similar abnormality. ' ’ A cross.section of a normal nail, ■as can be determined by looking at the finger-tip while pointing it toward the e\e, is a simple arch, while that of the claw-nail is somewhat rounded and solid. It is not only ugly to' look at, but has certain definite disadvantages. " These •nails are'always kept very long be.caii'se close cutting is painful and :difficult." Walking or running is considerably impeded,' because /the tpos hurt whenever full pressure is put to- bear upon them. •Of, his nine children, four boys and five, girls, five are similarly 'affected, three hoys and two girls. ■We have, hero clearly a heritable mu. ta.ticn which is a scene in the drama of evolution. If this mutation were advantageous to those affected by it so that they could compete more •..favourably in the i truggle for existence with normal people, in the course of a number .of .gorerathins; this mutation might establish itself very; thoroughly hi. a coriai.i section .aptjU. we, would have ultimately a Ftrjbb or. race’,of I daw-nailed people. “'•‘AfycHiis .mutation is. Tinfavourable, it nould possibly or" probably die .‘offt in a ;state, of. natural keen competition. •'■ ;v . ';••"