1 6 THE FAMILY AND THE NATION 



that no definite and satisfactory evidence was forth- 

 coming to support that assumption. 



Moreover, it was pointed out by Weismann that the 

 germ cells of organisms seem to be independent of the 

 rest of the body. They descend from the germ cells 

 of the parents, and are not affected directly by changes 

 going on in the individual to whom they belong. But 

 such a conclusion seems difficult to extend to indirect 

 action, and other biologists hold that indirect action 

 may occur, and the germ cells undergo slight changes 

 in consequence of acquired modifications enough at 

 any rate to affect the properties of the race when the 

 action is prolonged over many generations. Still, it 

 seems that, if acquired characters are transmitted at all, 

 it can be only to a small fractional extent. They can 

 have much less influence in modifying the race than 

 was heretofore supposed. More could be done in a 

 few generations by selecting and favouring the repro- 

 duction of innate qualities, which certainly are trans- 

 mitted, than could be effected in long ages by trying 

 to modify the stock through the direct action of use 

 and environment even if these influences produce any 

 effect at all. 



Moreover, the large discontinuous variations, which 

 are found in " sports " and tend to be transmitted by 

 heredity, are never acquired characters. No man by 

 taking thought can add a cubit to his stature, though 

 by physical culture he may possibly add a fraction of 

 an inch. Still less can he produce by exercise one of 

 the definite structural changes which occasionally appear 

 as sports. Whatever view about the occasional and 

 partial transmission of acquired characters may ulti- 



