ACQUIRED CHARACTERS 207 



tains either that all acquired characters are transmitted, 

 or that the Lamarckian factor is of universal validity 

 in the organic world, and capable of displacing natural 

 selection. 



Weismann's position cannot be regarded as constitut- 

 ing an estabhshed result of biological investigation, for 

 it is rejected by many of those to whom we look for 

 expert judgment in biological problems. We could 

 not reasonably be blamed, therefore, if we refused to 

 reckon with it in putting catholic doctrine to the test 

 of evolutionary science. But I think that we shall be 

 better advised if we take Weismann's position more 

 seriously; for, in spite of its disputatious nature, a 

 wide-spread conviction exists that it has a good deal to 

 say for itself. Until more is known of the laws of hered- 

 ity, Weismann's argument will have to be reckoned 

 with, notwithstanding its lack of corroboration by 

 experimental proof. But the chief reason for taking 

 rWeismannism seriously is the fact that belief in its 

 possible validity has caused some of the most thought- 

 ful writers of our day to feel grave doubts as to the possi- 

 bility of a transmission of the effects of Adam's sin to 

 his offspring.* 



As I shall endeavour to show, good reason exists for 

 denying that the impossibility of a transmission of 

 acquired characters, if proved, has anything to do with 

 the question as to whether Adam's fallen condition 

 could be transmitted.^ But assuming that Adam's 



1 See F. R. Tennant, Origin of Sin, pp. 35-38, for a careful ex- 

 pression of these doubts. 2 See pp. 211-213, below. 



