GERM-CELL 55 



4 



sphere,' or 'segmentation cell.' (Haeckel, Ev. Man, 

 p. 54.) 



On another page (56) he says: 



'Hence the essential point in the process of sex- 

 ual reproduction or impregnation is the formation of 

 a new cell, the stem-cell, by the combination of two 

 originally different cells, the female ovum and the 

 male spermatozoon. The process is of the highest 

 importance and merits our closest attention. All that 

 happens in the later development of this first cell, 

 and in the life of the organism that comes of it, is 

 determined from the first by the chemical and mor- 

 phological composition of the stem-cell, its nucleus and 

 its body." (Ev. Man, p. 56.) 



"Hertwig,' he continues, "puts his theory of 

 conception thus : 



* Conception consists in the copulation of two cell- 

 nuclei, which comes from a male and a female cell. 



* 



"As the phenomenon of heredity is inseparably 

 connected with the reproductive process we may 

 further conclude that these two copulating nuclei con- 

 vey the characteristics which are transmitted from 

 parents to offspring.' (Ev. of Man, p. 56.) 



"As, moreover, there is a complete coalesence 

 (fusion) of the mutually attracted nuclear substances 

 in conception, and the new nucleus formed (the stem 

 nucleus) is the real starting point for the development 

 of the fresh organism, the further conclusion may be 

 drawn that the male nucleus conveys to the child the 

 qualities of the father, and the female nucleus the 

 features of the mother. 



