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Evolution or Organic Life in Jaina Biology
271
“The concept of recapitulation must be used with due caution, rather than rigorously, but it does not provide an explanation for many otherwise inexplicable events in development.''32
The Genetic Evidence :
The species of plants, and animals are not, as the Jainācāryas believe, unchangeable biologic entities each of which originated separately, but groups of organisms which have arisen from other species and which can give rise to still others, as it is suggested by the statement in Jaina Biology that "Here in the East, West, North and South there are, all in all, in the world four kinds of sceds : Seeds generated at the top (of the plant ), at its root, at its knots at at its stem, etc.33 :
The selection and breeding of domesticated animals34 and cultivated plants35 as described in Jaina Biology indicates the models of how some of the evolutionary forces operate.36 The present-day varieties of cultivated plants developed by the cultivators were produced from one or a few forms by selection and inter - breeding. Many varieties of rice or wheat have been produced by selection, each adapted for certain growing conditions. Thus there are śali (dhānya ), brihi (a kind of dhānya ), etc., godhūma, (wheat ) yava, (barley)
etc. 37
Similarly, all the varieties of present day dogs (sunaga )38 are descended from one or a few related species of wild dog or wolf having nails (sa napphadā) and yet they vary tremendously in many characteristics. 39
32. Ibid, p. 546. 33. Sūtrakstanga II. 3. 43
"Iha khalu päiņaṁ vā 4 savvato savvāvamti ca ņam logamsi cattari biyakayā
evamahijjanti - tamjahā aggabiyā mūlabīyā porabiya khaṁdhabiya 1, etc.” 34. Pannavaná 1. 71 (assā assatara ghodaga ), etc. 1. 72 (Utta, gonā etc.) 35 "Sali bihi 2, godhúma 3 javajavā 4 kala 5 masûra 6 tila 7 mugga 8
etc.” Paņņavanā 1.50. 36. See the fifth section of the second chapter "The Evolution of Plant Re.
production" 36. Pannavanā 1.50. 38. Ibid. 1.74. 39. Biology, p. 547. Pannavapā, 1.74
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