WEISM ANN'S THEORY OF THE GERHPLASM 45 



idioplasm, even when the soma first came into 

 existence. The phyletic origin of the somatic cells 

 depended directly upon an unequal separation of 

 the determinants contained in the germplasm. It 

 would totally contradict his presentation if the 

 somatic cells, even at their first origin in phylogeny, 

 contained, in addition to their patent special 

 qualities, the qualities common to the whole species 

 in a latent condition. 



Weismann's conception, therefore, implies that 

 many of the lower multicellular organisms, having 

 no somatic-cells, have no body. Take the closely- 

 allied creatures Pandorina morum and Volvox 

 globator, which Weismann himself brings forward 

 as instances for his view ; the latter has a body, 

 the former has no body, as all its cells are able to 

 serve for reproduction ! 



It is enough to have pointed out how contra- 

 dictory are the interpretations in this matter. 

 Enlarging upon them may be postponed at present, 

 for we are concerned here not with the interpreta- 

 tion of individual cases, but with the principles 

 involved in the question, and, therefore, we must 

 pass on to show further reason for considering the 

 existence of differentiating division highly im- 

 probable in the whole organic world. 



THIRD GROUP OF FACTS. - - THE PHENOMENA OF 

 REPRODUCTION AND REGENERATION IN PLANTS 

 AND ANIMALS. 



The numerous phenomena of reproduction and 

 regeneration appear to support the principle of 



