1876 PANGENESIS 23 



ample, p. 29 of the other pamphlet for, of course, 

 ' Pangenesis ' assumes the truth of the persistence of 

 force as the prime condition of its possibility. If 

 ever I have occasion to prepare a paper about 

 heredity, I think it would be worth while to point 

 out the absurdity of thinking that we explain any- 

 thing by vague allusions to the most ultimate 

 generalisation of science. We might just as well say 

 that Canadian institutions resemble British ones 

 because force is .persistent. This doubtless is the 

 ultimate reason, but our explanation would be scien- 

 tifically valueless if we neglected to observe that the 

 Canadian colony was founded by British individuals. 



The leaf from * Nature ' arrived last night. I had 

 previously intended to try mangold- wurzel, as I hear 

 it has well-marked varieties. The reference, there- 

 fore, will be valuable to me. 



Before closing, I should like to take this oppor- 

 tunity of thanking you again for the very pleasant 

 time I spent at Down. The place was one which I 

 had long wished to see, and now that I have seen it, 

 I am sure it will ever remain one of the most agree- 

 able and interesting of memory's pictures. 



With kind regards to Mrs. Darwin, I remain, very 

 sincerely and most respectfully yours, 



GEO. J. EOMANES. 



To Professor E. S chafer. 



Dunskaith, Ross- shire. 



My dear Schafer, I am glad to hear that your 

 rest has been beneficial, and also about all the other 

 news you give. 



