Experhnental Shiciy of Groiuth 249 



the structure and functions of an organism are adapted to its en- 

 vironment, " i.e. by natural selection of individual differences. 



Weismann believes that "in regulating the duration of hfe, 

 the advantage to the species, and not alone to the individual, is 

 of any importance." The purpose of the individual is the per- 

 petuation of the species, and its length of hfe has been regulated 

 accordingly. As soon as the individual has performed this 

 purpose, it "has fulfilled its duty" and may die.^ 



Weismann beUeves that death is essential to the species, be- 

 cause the individuals become injured and must be replaced by 

 new and more perfect forms. From this, he says, follows the 

 necessity of reproduction and the utihty of death. He points 

 out that worn-out individuals are even harmful to the species, 

 for they consume the food that sound and reproducing indi- 

 viduals might make use of. Death "is not a primary necessity 

 but . . . has been secondarily acquired as an adaptation." 

 Plausible as this conclusion may be made to appear when 

 stated in this abstract and general way, it will not, I believe, bear 

 critical examination. Without attempting an elaborate refuta- 

 tion of Weismann's conclusion the following objections may be 

 briefly stated : — 



(i) To put the problem of senescence and death in a different 

 category from other physiological processes, seems entirely arbi- 

 trary. Weismann's contention that death has been imposed 

 upon each species not by internal physiological changes, but 

 from without by natural selection, is not only paradoxical, as he 

 states, but it seems to me a confused point of view. 



(2) Is it not putting the cart in front of the horse to argue that 

 the length of hfe is adjusted to the power of reproduction? 

 It seems more reasonable to assume, if we must make some as- 

 sumption, that if there is any connection between the two things, 

 the length of hfe determines in a general way the cessation of re- 

 production; for the general dechne that leads finally to a "natu- 

 ral death" may at its inception affect the reproductive organs. 



^ This includes the idea not only of giving birth to the new individuals, but 

 in some cases caring for them or in protecting them during their immaturity. 



