THE FACTORS OF HEREDITY. 99 



existing physical and mental states of parents, 

 particularly the strength and activity of their sev- &) Initial 

 eral vital functions and mental faculties at the 

 time of conception, modify the heredity of off- 

 spring. 



10. MATERNAL IMPRESSIONS Or, the law (JQ) Maternal 

 whereby the physical conditions and mental states Impressions. 

 of the mother during gestation her impulses, 

 emotions, joys, sorrows, thoughts and sentiments 

 make their impression upon the forming body, 

 plastic brain and sensitive soul of her offspring. 



IT. ABNORMAL IMPRESSIONS Or, the law 

 whereby an unusual or abnormal psychical dis- 

 turbance such as sudden shock, fright, grief j 

 anxiety, great excitement, intense longing, relig- 

 ious fervor, extreme joy, mental or hypnotic sug- 

 gestion during gestation may (in very suscepti- 

 ble mothers) produce physical or mental abnor- 

 malities in the offspring. 



12. PLANETARY INFLUENCES Or, the law^Q Planetary 

 whereby the nature and relation of the several 

 planets to the earth at the time of the inception, 

 growth and birth of a new life modify its hered- 

 itary tendencies. 



The science of heredity when properly under- 

 stood readily explains the endless variety of char- Heredity Applied 

 acter observable in human nature, as well as all 

 the peculiarities of each individual. In the ap- 

 plication of the science, as a basis of character 

 study, there are several very important facts that 

 should ever be borne in mind : 



i. Each of the several factors, particularly 

 the acquired characteristics, are an unknown 

 quantity; they may, or may not be highly poten- 



