No. 537] SHORTER ARTICLES AND DISCUSSION 



573 



It has been demonstrated beyond all question that those char- 

 acters which arc thrust upon the individual, such as mutilations, 

 are not inherited. Hut how about those characters which are 

 not thrust upon the individual but are acquired in accordance 

 with the above definition? That there is a clear distinction 

 between characters which are acquired and those which are 

 thrust upon the individual is evident from the fact that neither 

 mental nor physical strength can be thrust upon the individual. 

 Irritation thrust upon an individual may in fact produce a great 

 display of mental and physical strength, but the circumstance or 

 the person who produced the irritation does not augment the 

 strength which previously existed. 



The above analysis shows that the individual after birth does 

 or may come into possession of two kinds of characters, one of 

 which is obtained by acquirement and the other of which is 

 thrust upon him. Also, thai those characters which are acquired 

 can not be thrust upon him. and those which are thrust upon him 

 can not be acquired. The distinction between the two kinds of 

 characters is clear cut and marked. Evidence that one of these 

 kinds is not inherited is not even presumptive evidence that the 

 other is not. What is demanded is some clear and precise 

 evidence in regard to those characters which are acquired and 

 can by no possibility he thrust upon the individual. 



R. L. Redfield. 



