X.] PANGENESIS. 243 



truly singular. According to the theory of Pangenesis, it 

 is necessary to assume that all the gemmules of this 

 anomalous formation, and therefore the mother-gemmule 

 of the cell, and the daughter-gemmules of the special 

 epidermic tissue, and of the very singular subjacent tissue 

 of the endothecium, have been perpetuated, and transmitted 

 from parent to offspring in a dormant state, and through a 

 number of generations, such as startles the imagination, 

 and leads it to refuse its consent to the theory of Pan- 

 <?enesis, however seductive it niav be." This seems a further 

 confirmation of what has been advanced as to the Jews. 



The main objection raised against Mr. Darwin's hypo- 

 thesis is that it (Pangenesis) requires so many subordinate 

 hypotheses for its support, and that some of these are not 

 tenable. 



Professor Delpino considers ^ that as many as eight of 

 these subordinate hypotheses are required, namely, that — 



'' 1. The emission of the gemmules takes place, or may 

 take place, in all states of the cell." 



" 2. The quantity of gemmules emitted from every cell 

 is very great." 



" 3. The minuteness of the c^emmules is extreme." 



" 4. The gemmules possess two sorts of affinity, one of 

 which might be called iwopagativc, and the other germina- 

 tive affinity. 



" 5. By means of the propagative affinity all the gem- 

 mules emitted by all the cells of the individual How 

 together and become condensed in the cells which compose 

 the sexual organs, whether male or female (embryonal 

 vesicle, cells of the embryo, pollen grains, fovilla, anthero- 

 zoids, spermatozoids), and likewise flow together and be- 



1 See Scientific Opinion of September 29, 1869, p. 366. 



R 2 



