HEREDITY IO7 



tions to explain the many dliferences which are 

 common knowledge. 



This aspect of the law of biogenesis fixes the 

 characteristics of man with steel-like bands from 

 which he never escapes. He may rise above them 

 or sink because of them. They may become his 

 most priceless heritage or his greatest affliction. 

 They cannot be ignored In this age and when 

 understood solve much that is fundamental in his 

 educational problems. 



Long before the beginning of the Christian era, 

 thoughtful writers had recorded their observations 

 in regard to some features of heredity. Their 

 records deal largely with the morbid aspects, for 

 we read, "I Jehovah, thy God, am a Jealous God, 

 visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the chil- 

 dren, and upon the third and four generation of 

 them that hate me." Deut. 10, 9. 



This aspect of heredity, the morbid, became so 

 firmly fixed in the minds of the masses of the peo- 

 ple that not only malformations but diseases were 

 believed to be inherited out of the past. There 

 thus grew up a fatalistic feeling about many of 

 these natural occurrences that was positively in- 

 jurious to human welfare and the peace of mind 

 of those afflicted. (Figs. 34-37-) 



As we take up this Imperfectly understood 

 aspect of living protoplasm even to-day, a warn- 

 ing is necessary that we should keep constantly 



