CHAPTER y. 



0]^ THE OPINION" THAT EACH SEX MAT TRANSMIT 

 ANY CHABACTERISTIC WHATEVER. 



The argument from hybrids — This argument is inconclusive — ■ 

 The argument from the homology between the ovum and the 

 male cell — Homology does not involve functional similarity — 

 The argument from the dual personality of each individual; 

 from reversion; and from polymorphism — These phenomena 

 admit of a simpler explanation — Summary of chapter. 



The Argument from Hyhrids. 



According to the view to be presented in this work, 

 the ftmctions of the two sexual elements, in inheritance, 

 are not alike. 



The proof of this will be presented further on, when 

 the subject is reached in the logical course of the devel- 

 o])ment of our argument. 



Some of the very hi2:hest authorities have been led to 

 a view Avhicli is directly opposite, aud have held that 

 either parent may transmit to the offspring any charac- 

 teristic whatever. Lest any reader should assume, at the 

 beginning of this book, that the work involves an absurd- 

 ity, and that my conclusion is already disproved, it seems 

 best to at once examine the reasons for the opposite 

 view. If I can show that these reasons are inconclu- 

 sive, and that there is and can be no proof for the state- 

 ment that each sexual element transmits to the off- 

 spring every characteristic of the parent, we can then 

 enter into the subject without prejudice, and can wait 



