THE FACTORS OF HEREDITY. 103 



"national characteristics" may seem far removed 

 from the problems of heredity in the individual, 

 yet it should ever be borne in mind that these form 

 the basis of the physical and mental constitution 

 of all. They constitute the root, trunk and 

 branches of the tree of life ; while our special pecu- 

 liarities which come from more immediate causes 

 are but the leaves, the fruitage that buds, blooms, 

 ripens and falls away with each generation. The 

 special traits that differentiate each man from 

 every other man constitute a very small per cent 

 of his nature; but since the qualities that we all 

 hold in common are comparatively fixed, while 

 our individual traits are subject to change, we 

 shall devote most of our time to the consideration 

 of those facts and laws that bear directly upon 

 acquired characteristics and the improvement of 

 offspring. 



The factor of "planetary influences," however 

 important, can hardly be intelligently presented 

 in a limited space; I must, therefore, refer the 

 reader who would make a study of this interest- 

 ing branch of heredity to the standard works on 

 astrology and solar biology. 



The planets indirectly influence human life. I 

 am aware that many intelligent persons do not be- 

 lieve this, but it is because they have not inves- 

 tigated. A little reflection without even the slight- 

 est knowledge of astrology or solar biology, 

 should enable any one to see that the intimate re- 

 lation of the several members of the solar sys- 

 tem necessitates their exerting a marked influence 

 upon one another, and thereby directly or indi- 

 rectly affecting whatever life may exist upon a 

 planet. 



