heredity, Darwinism is an impossibility. Forty years ago 

 Darwinism should have recognized that its first and su- 

 preme task was to prove the hereditary transmission of ac- 

 quired characters, so as to estabhsh itself, first of all, 

 on a sound footing. 



One of the most peculiar incidents in this scientific 

 tragi-comedy is the fact that Weismann, the mainstay of 

 contemporary decadent Darwinism, attacks with might and 

 main its fundamental assumption, the transmission of ac- 

 quired characters, whereas Eimer, who is thoroughly con- 

 vinced that he has proved that doctrine, in his turn attacks 

 Darwinism and proves with telling effect the impotence 

 of its principles. The amused observer can really demand 

 nothing more. He can but rub his hands for joy and cheer 

 on the heated combatants: Well done! On with the 

 struggle! and the last vestige of Darwinism wih soon have 

 disappeared. 



If, then, we were to summarize our strictures on the 

 reasons which Wagner adduces to account for the decay 

 of Darwinism, we would say this: Some of them are un- 

 warranted, others are falsely interpreted. 



There is, however, a third point which is of special in- 

 terest to us, in the article under consideration; we refer 

 to the view, which there finds expression, regarding the 

 nature and outcome of the present crisis — a crisis, which, 

 as a candid naturalist, Wagner is not in a position to deny. 



This view rests on the entirely gratuitous assertion, 

 "that the dechne, in the esteem enjoyed by Darwinism, is 



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