1897.] Editor’s Table. 1041 
terizing the pyloric ceca of the star-fish as of unknown func- 
tion, and to advance so far, at least, as to characterize them as 
important digestive glands, very similar in function to the 
pancreas of higher animals. 
Laboratory of Physological Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, R. I. 
EDITOR'S TABLE. 
The confusion in the popular mind in regard to what biologists mean 
by “acquired character” is shown in a recent article by Prof. Cesare 
Lombrose,' and more strikingly in an editorial, apropos of this same 
article, which appeared a short time ago in the Boston Medical and 
Surgical Journal.’ 
Lombroso cites a number of cases which he regards as furnishing 
proof of the inheritance of acquired characteristics. In speaking of 
the development of the well known mental traits of the modern Hebrews 
he says: “ Here we havea series of acquired psychical characteristics 
which have become heredity. This, no doubt, is due to some extent to 
climatic influences—transportation to colder countries—but more par- 
ticularly to selection by persecution, as only by activity and the 
appearance of meanness and sordidness could the Hebrews haye been 
saved from the fierce persecutions against which bold resistance would 
have been of no avail. It is this fact that made these vices prevail, 
and that caused the extinction, little by little, of those qualities—cour- 
age, generosity and boldness—that would have been more harmful than 
useful under the particular conditions.” Again, in speaking of Amer- 
ican traits of character, Lombroso says: “It happens because a race 
among the most robust of Europe has been transported to different 
surroundings; and the struggle for existence—rendered fiercer in the 
wilderness and among hostile tribes—if it served to destroy the weaker, 
gave room for the greater development of the strong, in whom quali- 
ties, perhaps already existent in the pacific Briton, but not yet unfolded 
for lack of oceasion, emerged in the new adaptations required for new 
adventures.” One might almost suppose these sentences to have been 
1 Lombroso, C.: The Heredity of Acquired Characteristics. The Forum, 
October, 1897, pp. 200-208. 
-Bonok 4 Medical and Surgical Journal, October 21, 1897, Vol. 137, No. 17, p. 
427. 
1 
