( xcvili ) 
reserve stock of germ-plasm, or in the soma during its 
ontogenetic development. Thus, according to Weismann, the 
case of Chrysophanusphlaeas, instead of supporting the theory 
of the inheritance of somatic modification as at first sight it 
may seem to do, in reality gives additional weight to the 
theory of the continuity of the germ-plasm, and its independ¬ 
ence of somatic change. But it may properly be called an 
instance of the inheritance of an acquired character, though 
not in the Lamarckian sense. The transmissible character 
has been acquired ; not, however, through the medium of the 
soma, but directly by the germ-plasm itself. The germ-plasm, 
therefore, is indeed continuous, but not unassailable by 
external influences. 
This important biological result was, as we have seen, 
reached by Weismann in consequence of a combined investiga¬ 
tion by observation and experiment on a species of butterfly ; 
and it is particularly worthy of note by entomologists that all 
the data which he could obtain respecting the local and 
seasonal variations of the form in question proved to be of high 
significance in the solution of his problem. Without them he 
could not have reached his conclusion ; with further informa¬ 
tion on these and similar points, he could no doubt have made 
his explanation still more complete. This is a good illustration 
of the way in which observation in the field, experiment in the 
laboratory, and reasoning in the study can combine to establish 
a result of great scientific importance. 
It will no doubt have occuried to you that Weismann’s 
view as to the nature of the seasonal dimorphism manifested 
in the Ligurian form of C. phlcLsas ought to be tested by 
exposing the immature stages of the spring brood of this form 
to a high temperature. So far as I am aware the experiment 
has not been tried ; and until it has, this part of Weismann’s 
conclusion cannot be accepted without reserve. But as to his 
view of the susceptibility of the germ-plasm, there has now 
been abundant confirmation ; again, be it noted, by work 
done on insects. 
Standfuss, as Weismann notes, bred some specimens of 
Vanessa urticae under conditions of ai’tificially lowered 
temperature. The perfect insects showed a departure from 
