THE INHERITANCE OF ACQUIREMENTS 73 



of the gerni-pliisiii. Our answer to the above ques- 

 tion would be very dili'erent if we were to believe in, 

 let us say, Darwin's theory of pangenesis. Darwin 

 suggested that every cell and tissue of the body sent 

 a representative contribution to the germ-cells, in 

 which the individual was thus epitomised. Hence, 

 to bo consistent, if the individual lost a limb, the 

 " gemmules " that should have been sent by it to 

 the i^erm-cells were wantinir, and that limb would be 

 wanting in the oftspring. But Darwin's theory is not 

 held by any one ; and we are at present compelled to 

 consider the question from the Weismamiian stand- 

 point. 



Weismann himself once maintained the inviola- 

 bility of the germ-plasm ; but he has withdrawn that 

 assertion. Here and there are to be found whole- 

 hearted Weismannians who declare that the germ- 

 plasm is inviolable, but their position is, on the face 

 of it, untenable. The germ-plasm is a living thing, 

 and, like every other living thing, has an environ- 

 ment. It is self-evident that it must have relations 

 with that environment. If the immediate environ- 

 ment — the body of the individual — dies, so certainly 

 will the germ-plasm, a fact which is indisputable 

 and conclusive. What, then, are the precise rela- 

 tions of the germ-plasm and its host ? 



In the first place, the blood and lymph which are 

 produced in the body, as a result of its converse with 

 its (edible and breathabk) environment, circulate 

 through the. germ-plasm. If the body takes in 

 alcohol, which passes into the blood, the germ-plasm 

 will necessarily be subjected to the inthience of that 

 druo-. Further, if the body be attacked by microbes 



