34 HERBERT SPENCER AND 



the specific characters must be present in the germ-plasm 

 of all the individuals composing the species — for if it 

 were not, the specific type would not be produced. But 

 of the factors determining the varietal characters, some 

 may be present in the germ-cells carried by any one 

 individual and some absent. In a mixed race, where the 

 individuals interbreed freely, the combination or separa- 

 tion of the various varietal characters will obey the 

 laws of chance. By studying the segregation of the 

 factors in the course of two or three generations of 

 selective breeding, a pure race, true to certain characters 

 may be established, and the advantageous characters 

 of two or three different races may be combined. Im- 

 provement may be effected in this way, but in no case 

 can it be secured by the selection of such modifications 

 as have been produced in the individual by the direct 

 action of external agencies, whatever these agencies 

 may be. When once particular factors are brought 

 together by the union of germ-cell with germ-ceU in 

 fertilization, the characters of the adult, including habit 

 as well as form and colour, are irrevocably fixed, as 

 are also the qualities which the adult in question can 

 transmit to its descendants. This being the case, one of 

 the most important links in the chain of argument used 

 in the synthetic philosophy is broken, and the sociological 

 conclusions founded upon the biological principles set 

 forth in that system are vitiated. 



But, although I do not think that we can any longer 

 accept Herbert Spencer's conclusions, we should hold fast 

 to his conviction that mankind is governed by the same 

 laws as govern the animal kingdom, and that no true 

 system of sociology can be offered which does not take full 

 account of those laws. 



It is not the business of a zoologist to offer solutions 

 of social questions. But he is within his right if he 

 tenders to those whose business it is to study these 

 questions such evidence as is relevant. 



