45 6 On Archasthetism. [June, 



bryo is composed of the united contents of both bodies. In a 

 wonderful way the embryo develops into a being which re- 

 sembles one or both parents in minute details. This result is 

 evidently determined by the molecular and dynamic character 

 of the original reproductive cells, which necessarily communi- 

 cate their properties to the embryo, which is produced by 

 their subdivision. Rud. Hering has identified this- property 

 of the original cells with the faculty of memory. This is 

 a brilliant thought, and, under restriction, probably correct. 

 The sensations of persons who have suffered amputation, 

 shows that their sensorium retains a picture or map of the 

 body so far as regards the location of all its sensitive regions. 

 This simulacrum is invaded by consciousness whenever the 

 proper stimulus is applied, and the locality of the stimulus fixed 

 by it. This picture probably resides in many of the cells both 

 sensory and motor, and it doubtless does so in the few cells of 

 simple and low forms of life. The spermatozooid is such a cell, 

 and, how or why we know not, also contains such an arrangement 

 of its contents, and contains and communicates such a type of 

 force. It is probable that in the brain cell this is the condition of 

 memory of locality. If now an intense and long-continued pres- 

 sure of stimulus produces an unconscious picture of some organ 

 of the body in the mind, there is reason to suppose that the 

 energies communicated to the embryo by the spermatozooid and 

 ovum, will partake of the character of the memory thus created. 

 The only reason why the oft-repeated stories of birth-marks are so 

 often untrue, is because the effect of temporary impressions on 

 the mother is not strong enough to counterbalance the molecular 

 structure established by impressions oftener repeated throughout 

 much longer periods of time. 



The demonstration of the truth or falsity of this position so as 

 to constitute it the true doctrine of evolution, could only be veri- 

 fied from the prosecution of the science of palaeontology. It is 

 only in this field that the consecutive series of structures can be 

 obtained, which show the directions in which modification has 

 taken place, and thus furnish evidence as to the causes of change. 

 The most complete result of these investigations up to the pres- 

 ent time, has been the obtaining of sufficiently full series of the 

 Mammalia of the Tertiary period, to show their lines of descent. 

 In this way the series of modifications of their teeth and feet has 



