io6 INHERITANCE 



on the tissues of the mother-plant. Gemmules are 

 supposed to be thrown off by every unit, not only 

 during the adult state, but during each stage of 

 development of every organism ; but not necessarily 

 during the continued existence of the same unit. 

 Lastly, I assume that the gemmules in their 

 dormant state have a mutual affinity for each other, 

 leading to their aggregation into buds or into the 

 sexual elements. Hence, it is not the reproductive 

 organs or buds which generate new organisms, 

 but the units of which each individual is composed. 

 These assumptions constitute the provisional hypo- 

 thesis which I have called Pangenesis. Views in 

 many respects similar have been propounded by 

 various authors." 



It will be seen that Pangenesis is a mechanical 

 theory of Inheritance ; and that it recognises and 

 faces fully the difficulties of Reversion and of 

 Repair of Mutilations, and explains how organs 

 may become abnormally multiplied and transposed 

 through the gemmules developing accidentally in 

 wrong places, as in the case of supernumerary 

 fingers or toes, or the development of hairs or teeth 

 in unusual situations. 



Pangenesis, in spite of the ready explanation 

 it gives of many difficulties, has never met with 

 anything like general acceptance. Its illustrious 

 author, however, while careful to speak of it always 

 as a Provisional Hypothesis, regarded it with much 

 affection ; and alludes to it almost pathetically as 

 his neglected child, for which he predicts confi- 

 dently a future career of greatness. Such an 

 opinion claims the highest respect, and compels 



