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THE AMERICAN NATURALIST [Vol. XL V 



important feature of all experiments of this kind was 

 pointed out three years ago. 21 Although our attention 

 has been focused chiefly on the possibilities of the trans- 

 mission of somatic effects by seed reproduction, yet it is 

 to be recalled that the continuation of an alteration by 

 fissions, division or cuttings might come to have great 

 biological significance. 



Jennings would consider the Paramcecia as free germ 

 cells subject to the direct action of environment, and 

 themselves propagating by simple division if his meaning 

 is properly apprehended. If this is allowable, the same 

 conception may be extended to include cuttings and all 

 fission methods of reproduction in plants, even of the 

 most advanced types. As a general rub', when a portion 

 of the sporophyte of a plant, such as an offset, runner, 

 stolon, tuber, bulb, conn or other detached branch pro- 

 duces a new individual, the mature characters of the par- 

 ent disappear in the regeneration or sprouting and the 



