no INHERITANCE 



the theory of Pangenesis we should certainly 

 expect that the removal of a part, such as the tail 

 of a sheep or horse, especially when effected in 

 early life before the breeding period has been 

 reached, would lead at any rate to diminution of 

 size of the part in the offspring : for surely the 

 removal at an early age of the source from which 

 the gemmules arise ought to have at least some 

 effect on the transmission, through the gemmules, 

 of this part to the offspring ; yet it is well known 

 that such mutilations do not tend to be inherited. 



Considerations such as these show clearly that 

 whatever may be the ultimate fate of the Theory of 

 Pangenesis, it is not yet in a position to command 

 acceptance : indeed, some of the objections seem of 

 so important and fundamental a nature as to 

 compel us to regard them as fatal to the Theory, at 

 any rate in its present form. Quite recently, Mr. 

 Francis Galton has published the results of a series 

 of most laborious statistical enquiries, undertaken 

 with the view of ascertaining whether inheritance 

 takes place according to definite laws, and if so to 

 determine as accurately as possible what these 

 laws are. His researches, which are of the greatest 

 possible interest and importance, and must exercise 

 great influence on future speculations, lead him to 

 a view which he refers to as Paniculate Inheritance, 

 and which may be described as an aggravated 

 form of the Theory of Pangenesis, propounded by 

 his illustrious kinsman. Mr. Galton states his view 

 thus: "All living beings are individuals in one 

 aspect, and composite in another. They are 



