1899] PALS LAS Lae gi 
Conidia of the mould Aspergillus niger were cultivated (A) in a 
Xaulin solution, (B) in a Raulin solution plus 6 per cent of common 
salt for one generation, and (C) in the same for two generations. 
Then they were placed in a Raulin solution plus 18-4 per cent of 
salt, in which A showed no germination, B slight germination, and C 
general germination ; again, in a Raulin solution plus 6 per cent of 
salt, in which A produced spores in 5 days, B in 4 days, and C in 33 
days; and again, in a Raulin solution without additional salt, in which 
A showed sporification in 4 days, B in 5 days, C in 5 days, but 
slight. 
Spores from the last-named three cultures, in a normal Raulin 
solution, were then sowed in Raulin solution plus 18-4 per cent of 
salt, in which A’ showed after 5 days no germination; B’, after 5 
days, just visible germination; and C’, after 5 days, clearly visible 
germination. 
Hence, it is argued, that the conidia of Aspergillus become adapted 
to the medium in which their parent is growing, and more adapted 
after the second generation than after the first ; and, as the adaptation 
to a concentrated medium is not wholly lost after rearing in a normal 
medium, there is evidently a persistence of the adaptation, an inherit- 
ance of the acquired quality of resistance to concentration. 
In truth, however, this is not very convincing. The distinction 
between soma and germ-cells is not more than incipient in the mould 
in question; and even if it were more marked, what does the case 
show but that the germ-plasm may be affected along with the soma 
by a saturating influence, which nobody can deny. 
We need more than this before we allege the inheritance of an 
acquired character. We wish to hear of a clear-cut somatic modifica- 
tion observed to occur in successive generations, and of the recurrence 
of this modification or of some change in the same direction in the 
offspring when these are reared in a environment from which the 
original cause or stimulus of the modification is absent. At the best, 
Errera’s case is no more cogent than those which have been adduced 
from the study of alcoholism, where the germ-cells are apparently 
affected along with the body—cases with which Weismann has duly 
dealt. 
We may, however, recall David Harum’s words: “A reasonable 
amount of fleas is good for a dog—they keep him f’m broodin’ on 
bein’ a dog;” and re-interpret them, saying that a reasonable amount 
of such experiments as those of Errera is good for Weismannists—if 
so be they keep them from brooding on the perfection of their 
system. 
