Le Dantec 275 
by another substance ( 7) and so on, in such a way 
that the whole of the “dynamism” existing in this hetero- 
geneous mass, finds its expression in a form of equili- 
brium F, which preserves accurately, without any need 
of further constraint, those forms of equilibrium which 
the individual had acquired in consequence of the com- 
pulsion of external influences. 
“Tf that were so,” continues LeDantec, “this form 
could not be hereditary. For the substance @ produces 
the form F only with the assistance of cells of the sub- 
stances y and 6 , which are simultaneously present in 
other elements of the altered individual, and no one of 
these substances which does not belong to the sum total 
of the elements is by itself a consequence of the total 
form F. If then one detaches from this form a few 
pieces capable of reproducing themselves, these pieces 
endowed with different substances or heritages will give 
rise to different individuals, namely to individuals or 
groups of cells like those whose total constituted the 
form F, but of which none had this form. There is thus 
absolutely no reason existing why any one of these 
individuals should take the form F. If then observation 
teaches us that acquired characters can be inherited we 
are thus obliged to suppose that in the case in which 
they are hereditary they were acquired by the parent 
organism in a homogeneous manner.” 2°* 
Thus if it were possible to explain this inheritance 
and at the same time to accept, nevertheless, the most 
complete diversity of the substances constituting individ- 
ual parts of the organism, LeDantec would be perhaps 
the first to. renounce with joy his single individual sub- 
208T e Dantec: Ibid. P. 294—205. 
