Human Physiology. 287 



There is a proverb, "Every part makes a part." Mr. Dar- 

 win has adopted this saying, and named it Pa?!genesis. He 

 fancies that the germ cells and sperm cells are composed of 

 atoms which come from every portion of the body every 

 organ, every tissue blood, brain, muscle, bone, and every part 

 of every minutest organ ; and that these atoms have the power 

 to build up an organisation, by each reproducing the part from 

 which it has been derived. It is difficult to conceive of such a 

 mode of reproduction ; difficult to imagine in a microscopic 

 cell the myriads of atoms required ; those which must come 

 from all parts of the nervous systems, for example, and the 

 complex and delicate machinery of eyes and ears, the immense 

 number of glands in the skin and mucous membrane, etc. 

 Still, in some way, it must be that each organ has something to 

 do with reproducing itself, else how have we the very shape of 

 fingers, features of the face, form of head and body, and minute 

 reproduction of organs even to brows and eye-lids, hair and 

 nails, with all kinds of peculiarities and diseases. There is 

 pangenesis ; but possibly not of the material character Air. 

 Darwin has imagined. The formative force may come from 

 every part the presiding and directing power which orders 

 matter and gives form. In some way germ cell and sperm cell 

 contain the future insect, bird, horse, man, and not only a man, 

 but the man, with all he inherits from all the generations of his 

 progenitors. More, and more wonderful, the germ cells and 

 sperm cells of the first pair of human beings must have con- 

 tained the formative power which has produced all their pos- 

 terity that have been, are, and shall be. Is there a limit to 

 that original, all containing, procreative energy? If there be, 

 when it is reached the race must die out, just as animal races 

 have died out, and the human race will have its end, as it had 

 its beginning. 



The main facts of the transmission of qualities by descent are 

 evident and well understood with regard to animals. No one 



