l6 THEORY OF ORGANIC EVOLUTION. 



of the idioplasm as from the nature of the organ- 

 ism. The individual is capable of reproduction and 

 the new ontogenies begin in the reproductive cells. 



IO. TRANSMISSION OF IDIOPLASMIC DETERMINANTS IN 

 LOCAL VARIATION AND IN FECUNDATION. 



The automatic progressive or perfecting trans- 

 formation of the idioplasm is probably active in all 

 stages of development, and proceeds regularly in 

 all parts of the organism, because the idioplasm 

 preserves its configuration at all times and places 

 during the ontogeny. External stimuli impign 

 upon the organism usually at a definite point, but 

 they not only effect a local transformation of the 

 idioplasm but also reproduce themselves in a dyna- 

 mic manner in the entire idioplasm, which is in 

 unbroken connection throughout the whole individ- 

 ual. The idioplasm is thus changed everywhere in 

 the same manner, so that the germ cells that are 

 given off at any point feel and inherit the effects of 

 those local stimuli. 



In the formation of the germ cells in sexual 

 reproduction, the idioplasms of both parents must 

 come into contact with each other, whereupon there 

 results either a material union and formation of a 

 mixed idioplasm or perhaps rather a dynamic action ; 

 and through these agencies there is produced a 

 remodeled form which is, however, exactly equiva- 

 lent to the combined idioplasms entering into it. 



