No. 1, July, 1920] GENETICS 117 



studies on variability, segregation, speci ation and evolution in the genus Salix.) Lundfl Univ. 

 Arsskrift N. P. Af<l. 2. 14: (No. 28): I L45. 66 fig. 1918.] Biol. Zentralbl. 39: 179 180. 



Oct., 1919. 



717. RUNNER, < ). [German rev. of: Lotsy, J. P. De Oenotheren als kernchimeren. 

 (The Oenotheras as nuclear chimeras.) Gcnetica 1:7-09. 1919.1 Zeitschr. irulukt. Ab- 

 stamm. Vcrcrb. 21: 183-184. Sept., 1919. 



71S. Rennbr, 0. [German rev. of: Raunkiaer, C. t)ber den Begriff der Elementarart 

 im Lichte der modernen Erblichkeitsforschung. (On the concept of elementary species in the 

 light of modern genetical investigations.) Zeitschr. indu kt. Ahstamm. Vererb. 19:225-240. 

 2 fig. 1918.] Zeitschr. Bot. 11:474-475. 1919. 



719. Render, O. [German rev. of: Tischler, G. Analytische und experimentelle 

 Studien zum Heterostylie-problem bei Pr imula. (Analytical experimental studies on the 

 problem of heteroztyly in Primula.) Festschr. z. Feier des 100-Jahrigen Bestehens der Kgl. 

 Wiirtt. Landwirtsch. Hochschule Hohenheim. p. 254-273. 4 fig- April, 1918. Ibid. Das 

 Heterostylie-Problem. (The problem of heterostyly.) Biol. Zentralbl. 38:401-i79. Nov., 

 1918. (See Bot. Absts. 4, Entries 789, 790.)] Zeitschr. Bot. 11:475^70. 1919. 



720. Ritter, William Emerson. The unity of the organism. 2 vol. 14 X 20 cm., ix 4- 

 S98, ix + 408 -p., 61 fig. Richard G. Badger: Boston, 1919. — This work is devoted to elabora- 

 tion of "organismal," as opposed to "elementalistic" point of view. Author's main thesis is 

 that organism as a whole is the unit, and is not explained merely by combined action of parts 

 into which it can be analyzed. Whole no more to be causally explained by interaction of 

 parts than parts by whole. In relation to genetics, author holds that the mechanism of he- 

 redity is as much a part of and subordinate to the organism as are all of its other parts and 

 organs. Chromosomes, even though they may be bearers of heredity, are causally explained 

 by organism in same sense that heredity attributes of organism are causally explained by 

 chromosomes. Author recognizes that not many of major theories in biology are more 

 securely established than that hereditary attributes in bisexually propagating organisms are 

 in some way and to some extent dependent upon chromosomes of germ-cells. He even recog- 

 nizes possibility (though regarding this as far from proved) that chromatin of sperm nucleus 

 may "carry"' all the hereditary potentialities derived from male parent. But this does not 

 cover case of protozoa, for which he offers evidence that heredity is not wholly conditioned by 

 nucleus; nor does it cover asexually reproducing plants and animals, which are too largely 

 overlooked by geneticists. Here cytoplasmic characters are seen to be carried over directly, 

 and the claim that cell nuclei are, despite appearances, the really effective and responsible 

 agents is not in accordance with legitimate scientific procedure. Hence cytoplasm, no less 

 than chromatin, is entitled to be regarded as "hereditary substance." Another reason for 

 so regarding it is that in all cases the working out of the hereditary process in ontogeny (be it 

 initiated by chromosomes or not) is dependent upon processes occurring in cytoplasm. 

 Latter, therefore, is an integral part of the hereditary mechanism. — In discharge of this 

 function, cytoplasm must have antedated chromatin. Heredity is coextensive with organic 

 propagation and development, while "carrying heredity" by chromosomes is very far from 

 a universal phenomenon. — Author protests against restricting studies of heredity so largely 

 to adult characters. Present evidence comes from observations on germ-cell stages at one 

 end and on adult stages at other end of ontogenetic series. He urges importance of recog- 

 nizing heredity as working by transformation rather than transmission, and insists upon 

 importance of detailed embryological studies of origin and growth of hereditary characters. 

 Some illustrative cases of this mode of procedure are cited. — Author takes issue with con- 

 tention that organism does not truly produce its own germ cells and contends that the heredi- 

 tary substance becomes such, in some way, through being subject to metabolic processes 

 common to whole organism. He does not, however, lay much stress on ''inheritance of 

 acquired characters," though not denying its possibility. — F. B. Sumner. 



