THE ORGANIC CELL 
15 
4 As far as inheritance is concerned, the body is merely 
the carrier of the germ cells, which are held in trust for coming 
generations .’ 1 
As an axiom in Weismannism let it be remembered that 
germ-plasm may be, and is, converted into body-plasm ; but 
body-plasm can never become germ-plasm. In this simple 
statement lies the explanation of what is gradually becoming 
an accepted fact, viz. that any change affecting the body cells, 
Diagram illustrating Weismann’s theory of inheritance. G, the germ cell 
which by division gives rise to the body or soma (S) and to new germ cells 
(G) which separate from the soma, and repeat the process in each 
successive generation. 
but not the germ cells, cannot be transmitted to future 
generations. Thus acquired characters (the Lamarckian fac- 
tors) cannot be inherited. ‘ The germ-plasm of one generation 
being passed on to the next, and so on and on,’ influences 
from without cannot reach them, they being far too deeply 
buried to be reached by such superficial influences ; and thus 
acquired characters which cannot impress their influence on 
the germ cells cannot be inherited. 
We must therefore look upon the body as a new formation, 
which soon ceases to exist, but which passes on to its offspring 
a portion of the original germ-plasm, the germ-plasm itself 
having existed far back through the ages that have been to 
the very commencement of all life .’ 2 
In the next article in this series I propose dealing with the 
cell from its microscopical aspect. 
March 2, 1913. 
1 The Cell in Inheritance and Development, by E. B. Wilson. 
2 Mendelism in Theory and Practice, by E. Wynstone-Waters. 
