Translation from Hering 8i 



of the unconscious memory of organised matter, which, 

 ever increasing and ever dividing itself, ever assimilating 

 new matter and returning it in changed shape to the inor- 

 ganic world, ever receiving some new thing into its memory, 

 and transmitting its acquisitions by the way of reproduc- 

 tion, grows continually richer and richer the longer it lives. 



Thus regarded, the development of one of the more 

 highly organised animals represents a continuous series of 

 organised recollections concerning the past development 

 of the great chain of living forms, the last link of which 

 stands before us in the particular animal we may be con- 

 sidering. As a complicated perception may arise by means 

 of a rapid and superficial reproduction of long and labori- 

 ously practised brain processes, so a germ in the course 

 of its development hurries through a series of phases, 

 hinting at them only. Often and long foreshadowed in 

 theories of varied characters, this conception has only 

 now found correct exposition from a naturalist of our own 

 time.^ For Truth hides herself under many disguises from 

 those who seek her, but in the end stands unveiled before 

 the eyes of him whom she has chosen. 



Not only is there a reproduction of form, outward and 

 inner conformation of body, organs, and cells, but the 

 habitual actions of the parent are also reproduced. The 

 chicken on emerging from the eggshell runs off as its 

 mother ran off before it ; yet what an extraordinary 

 complication of emotions and sensations is necessary in 

 order to preserve equilibrium in running. Surely the 

 supposition of an inborn capacity for the reproduction 

 of these intricate actions can alone explain the facts. 

 As habitual practice becomes a second nature to the 

 individual during his single hfetime, so the often-repeated 

 action of each generation becomes a second nature to 

 the race. 



1 Professor Hartog tells me that this probably refers to Fritz 

 Miiller's formulation of the " recapitulation process " in " Facts 

 for Darwin," English edition (1869), p. 114. — R.A.S. 



G 



