APPENDIX II: 



ON TELEGONY. 



A widely different view, however, is taken by Mr. Herbert 

 Spencer with regard to the theoretical interpretation of tele- 

 gony. This, indeed, is precisely the opposite view to the 

 one which is given in the text. For while I agree with 

 Professor Weismann in holding that the facts of telegony 

 (supposing them to be facts) are as compatible with the 

 theory of germ-plasm as with that of gemmules, " physio- 

 logical units," or any other theory which postulates a centri- 

 petal flow of the carriers of heredity from somatic-cells to 

 germ-cells, Mr. Spencer is of the opinion that these facts are 

 destructive of any theory which postulates a continuity in the 

 substance of heredity — i. e., a centrifugal flow of the carriers 

 of heredity. And, unquestionably, Mr. Spencer's view is the 

 prevalent one. Therefore, seeing that his opinion is not 

 only of weight per se, but is shared by the scientific world in 

 general, I will here transcribe a somewhat lengthy discussion 

 which I have recently held with him upon the subject. 



In the Contemporary Review for March, Mr. Spencer wrote 

 as follows : — 



We pass now to evidence not much known in the world at 

 large, but widely known in the biological world, though known 

 in so incomplete a manner as to be undervalued in it. Indeed, 

 when I name it probably many will vent a mental pooh-pooh. 

 The fact to which I refer is one of which record is preserved 



