heterogenesis, heterogeny

[Gr. heteros one of two, and genesis origin, birth, generation.] †1. What was formerly called spontaneous generation, now termed abiogenesis (q. v.). 2. Herbert Spencer's name for what Owen calls metagenesis (q. v.). [ALTERNATION OF GENERATIONS.] 3. Profe or Huxley would confine the use of the term heterogenesis to that kind of generation in which the offspring is altogether and permanently unlike the parent. Profe or Milne Edwards has therefore called this latter xenogenesis (q. v.). ( Brit . A oc . Rep . (1870), p. lxxvii.) hět-er-o-gěnět-Ic, a. [Pref. hetero-, and Eng. Biol.: Of or pertaining to heterogenesis; hetero genetic (q. v.).] geneous.