Weismannism up to date (1893). 119 



ready the break of verification with the other," I think 

 it must be admitted that, in as far as he has erred. 

 Professor Weismann has done so by driving a chariot 

 which is unprovided with any break at all. 



Hence, fourthly, it is needless to follow, even in 

 epitome, the innumerable windings of these never- 

 ending speculations. For, on the one hand, it would 

 be impossible to do so without adding an unduly 

 extended chapter to our already tediously prolonged 

 consideration of Weismann's views ; while, on the 

 other hand, we should have to deal merely with matters 

 of comparative detail. The additions which have 

 been made to his theory by his most recent publica- 

 tions are chiefly concerned with the matter just 

 alluded to — viz., a minute elaboration of the hypo- 

 thetical mechanism of heredity, in accordance with 

 the general theory of germ-plasm. Without question 

 this elaboration is everywhere thoughtful, and often 

 highly ingenious ; but until the general theory in 

 question shall have been satisfactorily grounded, it 

 seems premature to supply so immense a design of 

 purely deductive construction. Beautiful though it 

 may be in its imposing elevation, this drawing of '"the 

 architecture of germ-plasm " must be regarded as 

 a work of artistic imagination rather than as one of 

 scientific generalization. From the latter point of 

 view it is at most a temple in posse, and even if it is 

 ever to be realized in esse, we cannot allow the actual 

 building to begin until we are much more sure than 

 anybody is at present entitled to be touching the 

 foundations on which it is proposed to rear so great 

 an edifice. 



Again, and fifthly, even if Weismann should ever be 



