LECTURE XIV. 



THE INHERITANCE OF ACQUIRED CHARACTERS. CON- 

 TINUED. 



Negative View. Neo-Darwinism. 



Weismann's essays on heredity. Contradicted two 

 ideas long unquestioned : (a) Inheritance of char- 

 acters acquired ; (6) Fertilization a process of 

 rejuvenation. His work a great stimulus to investi- 

 gation. 



Weismann's distinction between germ cells and soma 

 or body cells. Is this " a biological myth " ? Germ 

 cells from same body never alike, because of in- 

 equality of division of nucleus. Germ cells of new 

 body like those of old, except that qualities of two are 

 fused through amphimixis. 



Germ cells immortal as the protozoa are. Each 

 new soma a reincarnation of the germ cell. The 

 soma and its experiences cannot affect a germ cell, 

 except to lower its vitality. " Mens sano" must be 

 "in corpore sano." 



Ibsen's ghosts. Effect of waist-compression, ciga- 

 rette, alcoholism. Are these inherited, producing a 

 more and more vicious and less and less vitalized 

 race ? Are these not inherited, but showing their 

 effects in lowered vitality ? Are these not inherited, 

 but directly useful in weeding out the weak and 



