INTRODUCTORY 1 .5 



so-called somatogenic variations, however, which 

 depend not upon anything derived from the parent, 

 save, perhaps, the inherited power of adaptability, 

 will not be called variations at all, but will alwavs be 

 termed acquirements. The more familiar phrase 

 is acquired characters, but I follow Mr. Archdal] 

 Reid in using the shorter and quite unequivocal word. 



Accepting this terminology, then, we have to 

 consider acquirements as characters which may 

 often be indistinguishable, or all but indistinguish- 

 able, from true variations, since these, though innate, 

 may not appear for years ; but which are always to 

 be distinguished in theory, not only because they 

 have a totally different origin, but also because they 

 have totally different consequences. Variations — 

 i,e. new inborn characters — are unquestionably trans- 

 missible by heredity, else there could scarcely be any 

 organic evolution ; but the transmission of acquire- 

 ments is a matter of keen controversy, and the 

 measure of its occurrence, if it occurs at all, must be 

 carefully considered in a special chapter. Obviously 

 the question is of cardinal importance, not only to 

 the man of science, but also to the man of action, for 

 our practice must be gravely affected, accordingly as 

 we believe that the results of education can or can 

 not be transmitted to our children. If they can, one 

 method of ennobling our race is clearly indicated ; if 

 they cannot, another and a very different method is 

 as clearly demonstrated. ^ 



Our subject might thus conveniently be arranged 

 under three leading terms — heredity, variation, 



1 See '' The Future Evolution of Man," in the volume, " Orcranic 

 Evolution." 



