102 



admitted, however, that my theory doas iiot necessarily agree with that used 

 in genetics, but is rather to be regarded as the latter theory expanded to the 

 utmost limit 1 \ 



Now, in order to help niy readers to understand niy theory, it is necessary 

 to insist on the law of substance, i.e. the conservation of energy and the 

 indestructibility of matter ; that the universe in its real entity is ever the 



same the same now as in the past and as in the future ; that it is only the 



phenomena which change from time to time ; and that there can be neither 

 increase nor decrease in its real entity. All individuals in the universe have 

 close relations with the whole (i.e. the universe), and their real entities are 

 something like the meshes of a net, whose therads extend in all directions 

 through the universe ; Home of the threads being represented by chemical 

 affinities or physical gravity. To divide the whole into parts is something 

 like moving the interwoven threads of meshes hither and thither with one's 

 fingers ; for, though the whole is divisible into parts as it seems, these parts 

 are still connected one with another by the threads. Individuals though 

 they be caUed, they are not by any means in a condition of isolation, but 

 rather are closely related to the whole. Thus, as a part moves, so moves the 

 whole itself --that assemblage of many parts. 



All individuals alike possess innumerable genes or factors' 1 '. The 

 former present various phenomena according as, on the one hand, the latter 

 are potent or latent ; and on the other, according to the different combinations 

 or seggregations of potent genes. Consequently, the relation of one individual 

 to the others in phenomenal appearance is the relation of mutual participation 

 or sharing of potent and latent genes in individuals. 



Then, too, all genes in individuals may be apparent at one time and 

 latent at another, and may change their characters, according to conditions. 



1) Cf. MORGAN, T. H. The theory of the gene, in Am. Nat. (1917) Vol. 51, pp. 513-520. 



2) My idea is somewhat comparable to VINES' opinion that " the ultimate members, root, 

 stem, leaf, may in this view be looked upon as potentially present even in the unicellular plant, 

 just as man is potentially in the Amoeba ; and their gradual unfolding is but a matter of time 

 nnd the realisation of their inherent tendency to complexity, much as we have in the spore or 



the ovum the potentialities which we see realised as it grows into a plant." [Cf. GKEEN, 



J.E. A History of Botany, (Oxford 190S)) p. 83]. 



