APPENDIX I 



WEISMANN ON HEREDITY 



THE new views advanced by Weismann have, while these 

 pages were going through the press, been subjects of warm dis 

 cussion in England, where his essays have been translated and 

 republished ; but the subject has been so beclouded with 

 technicalities and references to obscure facts of reproduction, 

 that it is scarcely intelligible to non-technical readers. An 

 explanation of the actual nature and bearing of these views 

 may therefore be useful. 



The subject may be regarded from the point of view 

 either (i) of the facts of reproduction, or (2) of observed 

 phenomena of inheritance. 



i. With reference to the first of these, nothing is mor 

 certain than that in all animals, except a few of the lowest, 

 there are special organs of reproduction, and that in these 

 organs alone resides the power of permanent continuance of 

 the species. The facts of budding and spontaneous division 

 in some animals of low grade may be regarded as of only 

 temporary importance. Farther, the organ of reproduction 

 resolves itself into a single microscopic embryo cell or germ 

 a minute vesicle containing protoplasmic matter, fertil 

 by another or sperm-cell, and finally into the speck of proto 



