Chap. XXVII. OF PANGENESIS. 377 



been cut off, neither more nor less, would be reproduced. If 

 the tail or leg of a young animal had been cut off, a young tail 

 or leg would have been reproduced, as actually occurs with the 

 amputated tail of the tadpole ; for gemmules of all the units 

 which compose the tail are diffused throughout the body at all 

 ages. But during the adult state the gemmules of the larval 

 tail would remain dormant, for they would not meet with pre- 

 existing cells in a proper state of development with which to 

 unite. If from changed conditions or any other cause any part 

 of the body should become permanently modified, the gem- 

 mules, which are merely minute portions of the contents of the 

 cells forming the part, would naturally reproduce the same 

 modification. But gemmules previously derived from the same 

 part before it had undergone any change, would still be diffused 

 throughout the organisation, and would be transmitted from 

 generation to generation, so that under favourable circumstances 

 they might be redeveloped, and then the new modification would 

 be for a time or for ever lost. The aggregation of gemmules 

 derived from every part of the body, through their mutual 

 affinity, would form buds, and their aggregation in some special 

 manner, apparently in small quantity, together probably with 

 the presence of gemmules of certain primordial cells, would 

 constitute the sexual elements. By means of these illustrations 

 the hypothesis of pangenesis has, I hope, been rendered in- 

 telligible. 



Physiologists maintain, as we have seen, that each cell, 

 though to a large extent dependent on others, is likewise, to a 

 certain extent, independent or autonomous. I go one small step 

 further, and assume that each cell casts off a free gemmule, 

 which is capable of reproducing a similar cell. There is some 

 analogy between this view and what we see in compound 

 animals and in the flower-buds on the same tree ; for these are 

 distinct individuals capable of true or seminal reproduction, yet 

 have parts in common and are dependent on each other; thus 



the lower animals the whole body may deep wound, as in the case of the exth- 



be bisected and both halves be repro- pation of the scapnla, prevent the for- 



dueed, tins belief does not seem pro- mation or protrusion of the nascent 



bable. May not the early closing of a limb ? 



