68 Natural Salvation. 



concerned only with the life and welfare of the individual, 

 the reproductive cells with the continuance of the species. 

 Of the two classes of cells ithe reproductive J.ive_gn_fronv, 

 generation to generation, never die in fact ; the somatic 

 cells alone are subject to death. The reproductive cells 

 are immortal, as the amcsba is immortal ; they die only by 

 the — to them — accident of the death of the body. 



(3) It is an error to regard the animal or human organ- 

 ism (soma) as' the essential or important part. The re- 

 productive tissue (g6rm-plasm) alone is of importance. 

 The soma is subordinate and exists for the purpose of 

 carrying forward the germ-plasm. It is its vehicle of life, 

 exists for no other object, and has no other raison d'itre. 

 In the opinion of Professor Weismann, the human brain 

 exists solely Jor_the purpose _(^nourishing, protecting, and 

 heaxingjorward the group of cells Jodged. in the organs, of 

 generation. 



(4) He further holds that the origin of death is found 

 in the consideration, that it is advantageous to the species 

 that the individual animals, or humans, shall die. " If for 

 a moment we imagine that one of the higher animals were 

 to become immortal, it is perfectly obvious that it would 

 cease to be of value to the species to which it belongs. 

 On one hand, there is the necessity of reproduction, on 

 the other, the utility of death." He argues that the dura- 

 tion of individual life is, in all cases, that which is best 

 for the species. For example, the May-fly lives but a few 



