72 REPRODUCTION AND LIFE HISTORY. 



those inherent or congenital in the fertilised egg cell, and 

 therefore denies that the influences of function and environ- 

 ment are, or have been, of direct importance in the evolution 

 of many-celled animals. Such influences affect the body, 

 but do not reach its reproductive cells, and are therefore 

 non-transmissible. Many of the most authoritative biolo- 

 gists are at present of this opinion. On the other hand, 

 many still maintain that profound changes due to function 

 or environment may saturate through the organism, and 

 affect the reproductive cells in such a way that the changes 

 or modifications in question are in some measure trans- 

 mitted to the next generation. The question remains 

 under discussion. 



