diff --git a/src/clojush/args.clj b/src/clojush/args.clj
index 1ecc4c268..a7a002082 100644
--- a/src/clojush/args.clj
+++ b/src/clojush/args.clj
@@ -1,6 +1,3 @@
-;; gorilla-repl.fileformat = 1
-
-;; @@
 (ns clojush.args
   (:require [clj-random.core :as random])
   (:use [clojush globals random util pushstate]
@@ -198,6 +195,10 @@
           ;; When using :autoconstructive-diversification-test :diffmeans-diversifying?, specifies
           ;; how many children of each child to generate and test. See genetic-operators.clj.
           
+          :autoconstructive-si-children 8
+          ;; When using a "size and instruction" diversification test, specifies how many
+          ;; children to generate and test. See genetic-operators.clj.
+          
           :autoconstructive-fotd false
           ;; If true, autoconstruction will be performed using the 'flavor of the day' code in
           ;; genetic_operators.clj, which may change without fanfare. Other autoconstruction-related
@@ -523,4 +524,3 @@
 
 
 
-;; @@
diff --git a/src/clojush/pushgp/genetic_operators.clj b/src/clojush/pushgp/genetic_operators.clj
index 1518e1588..114a18290 100644
--- a/src/clojush/pushgp/genetic_operators.clj
+++ b/src/clojush/pushgp/genetic_operators.clj
@@ -1,6 +1,3 @@
-;; gorilla-repl.fileformat = 1
-
-;; @@
 (ns clojush.pushgp.genetic-operators
   (:use [clojush util random individual globals interpreter translate pushstate]
         clojush.instructions.tag
@@ -573,7 +570,8 @@ programs encoded by genomes g1 and g2."
 (defn size-and-instruction-diversifying?
   "Returns true iff genome g passes the diversification test."
   [g argmap]
-  (let [kids (repeatedly 8 #(produce-child-genome-by-autoconstruction g g false argmap))
+  (let [kids (repeatedly (:autoconstructive-si-children argmap) 
+                         #(produce-child-genome-by-autoconstruction g g false argmap))
         instruction-set (fn [genome]
                           (hash-set (keys (frequencies (map :instruction genome)))))]
     (and (not (some #{g} kids))
@@ -586,7 +584,8 @@ programs encoded by genomes g1 and g2."
   (let [make-child #(produce-child-genome-by-autoconstruction % % false argmap)
         instruction-set (fn [genome]
                           (hash-set (keys (frequencies (map :instruction genome)))))
-        kids (repeatedly 8 #(make-child g))
+        kids (repeatedly (:autoconstructive-si-children argmap) 
+                         #(make-child g))
         grandkids (map make-child kids)]
     (and (apply distinct? (concat kids grandkids [g]))
          (not (apply = (map count kids)))
@@ -755,4 +754,3 @@ be set globally or eliminated in the future."
 
 
 
-;; @@