Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1895-04-19
rContfnned from 9Th PAGE. !

as taken up by Prof. Weismann. 1t was
enerally supposed that the difference
question was one of degree, not one OF
nd. In other words, it was assumed
lat acquired characters, although not
fullv-and, therefore, not so certainly
Inherited as congenital characters,
avertheless were inherited in some less
degree, so that if the same character
bntinued to be developed successfully
a number of sequent generations,
hat was at first only slight tendency
be inherited would become by summa-
on more and more pronounced ten
ency, till eventually the acquired char
.ter might be as strongly Inherited as
bv other character which was db tntto
bngenital Now, it Is the validity of
his assumption that is challenged by
rof. Welsmann. He says there is no
Iidence of any acquired characters be-
g in any degree inherited, and, there
pre-, that in this important respect they
ay be held to differ from congenital
laracters in kind"
In the preface to the Examination
noted from above, Prof. Romanes
indy and candidly gives this little bit
special history, which Is fraught with
eep meaning, viz: LAS far back as
pa, had long conversations with
Darwin himself upon the matter, and
4 nder his guidance performed what |
oppose are the only systematic expert
Sents which have been undertaken with
egard to it. These occupied more than
We years Of almost exclusive devotion,
ut as they all proved failures they were
ever published" Romanes reserves
+. is decision upon what he Justly calls
this great question of fact, "-promising
consideration of it in forthcoming
olume-which in all probability his re-
Rnt deplored death, in the midst of his
3bors, has left unwritten or unfinished.
We have a still later authority on this
|exed question in the person of Prof.
'Ohn Berry Haycraft, whose lectures,
.elivered in March. 1891, at the Royal
'ollege of Physicians, London, are re-
emily published under the title of
Darwinsm and Race Progress" a re-
lew of this book has the following:
On the threshold of such a discussion
he author finds himself compelled to eX-
mime critically the arguments which
\ oint to the non-lnheritance of acquired
'haracters. In common with
] he great majority of contemporary
Prof. Haycraft accepts the
Jews propounded by Weismann and
Ealton; that is to say, he denies the
disability of transmitting to offspring
.haracters acquired during the lifetime
the individual. He knows of no sim
/ lie reliable instance in which transmits
ion has been shown to have taken
4 lace.
This book has Just been published in
London. and have been unable so far
b secure Il copy.
We have now seen that the Lanarck-
|in doctrine of the transmissiblity of
|cqulred characters, when exposed TO
PIE searching light of modern scientific
Inquiry, were AS far back as 1863 pro-
|ounced as deserving of oblivion; that
Herbert Spencer remarks that in the
|ase of domesticated animals the evil
|ence is entangled, and so leaves it; that
Darwin breaches the inquiry with great
fautiOn and considerable doubt; that
1alton prefers to suppose them family
heritable; that Weismann denies their
Portability in toto; that Romanes re-
|erves his decision, calling it gre at
question OF fact" but admits that five
iears devoted to systematic experiment,
IN order to prove their transmissibility,
Resulted IN absolute failure; aud that
finally the majority of contemporary
are said to agree with
Neismann, including no less an author
ty than Prof Haycratt. In view of al
| his it is rather refreshingly audacious
10 be coolly informed that 1.-THE power
bf development, its force in not only
liking, but in creating an instinct, cal
hardly be overstated." | should say il
tan hardly be underestimate"
Before the days of Lamarck there wert
successful breeders of large experience
bnd rare talent. The cornerstone o
(heir success lay in selection, skilful
discriminating and patient. 1t is record
|ed of celebrated breeder of dogs, tina
|on being asked TO explain how it hap
'pened that he had such number of Sc
much excellence, that he replied: :"
breed great many, and hang grea
many" He ruthlessly rooted out no
|only the weeds, but those that did no
come up to his high standard Thu
|Lamarckian doctrine in all its varying
degrees has run its course and apparent
by spent itself, and now the scientifi,
world, after almost 30 years of discus
sion, has been gradually forced to return
Ito Selection as the one great underlying
principle which leads to the bettermen
|of dOmesticated or preferred breeds.
l am free to confess that at one tim
Il believed the Year Book contained al
ARRAY of facts that would clearly dem