SUPPLEMENT TO "THE OPEN C(3URT:

N( i6. CHICAGO, SEPTEMBER 14, 1893. VOL. VII.— 37.

WEISMANN'S THEORY OF EVOLUTION (1893 )* material in the way of congenital variations on which

BY PROF. GEORGE J. ROM.^NES. natural selection can act. Therefore he is obliged to Of far more importance than any of the alterations assume that there now are, or once have been, organ which Professor Weismann has recently made in his isms of a less organised character than even the lowest theory of heredity, are those whereby he has modified of the unicellular forms— organisms, that is to say, his sequent theory of evolution. For while, as one which possess no nucleus, but are wholly composed of easily sees, his work on "The Germ-plasm" leaves undifferentiated bioplasm. These most primitive or- the former theory substantially unaltered, —although ganisms it must have been that were not subject to largely added to in matters of detail, — it so profoundly any process of natural selection, but, in virtue of an modifies the latter that careful readers will find no exclusive action of the Lamarckian factors upon their

small difficulty in ascertaining how much of it has been protoplasmic substance, gave rise to individual varia- allowed to remain. I will consider only the main tions, which subsequently gave rise to a unicellular modifications, and these I will take separatel}'. progeny—when the process of natural selection was It will be remembered that one distinctive feature immediately inaugurated, and thereafter entirely super- in Weismann's theory of evolution has hitherto been seded the Lamarckian factors. Or, to state the matter

that the unicellular organisms differ from the multi- in Weismann's own words : —

cellular in the following important particulars. "My earlier views on unicellular organisms as the source of

1. There being no division in unicellular organisms individual differences, in the sense that each change called forth in them by e.xternal influences, or by use and disuse, was supposed between germ- cells and somatic-cells, there is no pos- to be hereditary, must therefore be dismissed to some stage 'ess sibility in them of the occurrence of amphimixis. distant from the origin of life. I now believe that such reactions 2. Consequently, there is possibility in of no them under e.xternal influences can only obtain in the lowest organisms congenital variations, in the sense that these occur in which are without any distinction between nucleus and cell-body. multicellular organisms. All variations which have arisen in them, by the operation of any causes whatever, 'must be inherited, and their hereditary individual 3. Hence, the only causes of individual variation

variability is due to the direct influence of the external world . , and of the origin of species in the unicellular organisms If I am correct in my view of the meaning of conjugation as a are the Lamarckian factors, just as in the multicellular method of amphimixis, we must believe that all unicellular organ-

the only cause of these things is natural selection. isms possess it, and that it will be found in numerous low organ-

4. Hence, also, the unicellular organisms are po- isms, in which it has not yet been observed." ("Essays on Hered-

ity," vol. ii, 103-1(94 tentiallj' immortal, while the multicellular have ac- pp. )

quired mortality for certain adaptive reasons. It is not very clear, at first sight, how Professor But now, in his latest book of 1893, with the ex- Weismann, after having thus abandoned the proposi-

ception of Xo. 4, all these positions have been aban- tions I, 2, and 3, as above stated, manages to retain

doned. For, chiefly on account of the beautiful re- his former view as given in No. 4. Nevertheless, he searches of Maupas, Weismann has come to perceive does so, by representing that a unicellular organism,

that no real distinction can be drawn between an act even though it present such a considerable degree of of sexual union in the multicellular organisms, and an organisation as we meet with in the higher Protozoa,

act of conjugation in the unicellular. Amphimixis, still resembles a germ-cell of a multicellular organism,

therefore, is now held by him to occur equally in both in that it consists of all the essential constituents of a

these divisions of organic nature, with the consequence germ-cell, including germ-plasm in its nucleus. And

that the Protozoa and Protophyta owe their individual inasmuch as a germ-cell is potentially immortal, so it

variations, and therefore the origin of their innumera- must be with a unicellular organism ; in the one case,

ble species, as exclusively to the action of natural se- as in the other, the design of the structure is that its lection, as is the case with the Metazoa and Me- contained germ-plasm shall fuse with the germ-plasm taphyta. In fact, the term "amphimixis " has been contained in the nucleus of another individual cell, coined in express relation to these very points. when the life of both will be preserved. For my own

It will be seen, however, that this important change part, however, I cannot see that in either case the eel/,

of view merely postpones the question as to the origin as distinguished from its contained gcnn-plasm, is thus

of amphimixis, if the object of this process be that shown to be potentially immortal. On the contrary,

which Weismann supposes— viz., the providing of it appears to me a mere accident of the case that in a unicellular organism the immortal substance (germ- * .^11 the articles of Tin: Open Coiift aie copyrijililed. Permission to re- cell, is print this one is witliheld. —The Open Conrt Piiblishinj^ Company. plasm) is contained in a single which at the — — THE OPEN COURT. same time a free cell, and, as such, is denominated an after quoting a sample of them, I showed it was neces- "organism." We might just as well call a germ cell sary to ignore such inconsistent utterances—necessar3', an "organism," whether as an ovum it happens to be that is, for the purpose of examining the theory of imbedded in a mass of somatic- cells, or as a locomo- germ-plasm as even so much as a logically cohrerent tive spermatozoon it happens to be free. In fact, system of ideas. For we have seen that if any doubt

Weismann himself appears to recognise this. J3ut, if were to be entertained touching the absolute stability so, it is surely a distinction without a difference to say of germ-plasm " since the first origin of sexual propa- that unicellular organisms are immortal, while multi- gation," a corresponding measure of doubt would be cellular are mortal. For in neither case is the organ- cast on W'eismann's theory of congenital variation as ism immortal, while in both cases it is the germ-plasm solely due to amphimixis, with the result that his whole

(i. e., the substance of heredity) that is so. Where theory of evolution would be similarl}' rendered dubi- the cell containing the germ-plasm happens to be a ous. Since then, however, he has gone very much free cell, it is called an "organism"; but whether it further in this direction. First, in reply to Professor be a germ-cell or a protozoan, it alike ceases to be a \'ines he says (1890): — cell when it has given origin to a multitude of other "I am at present inclined to believe that Professor Vines is cells, whether these happen to be other germ-cells correct in questioning whether sexual reproduction is the only fac- {plus somatic-cells) or other protozoan cells. In short, tor which maintains Metazoa and Metaphy ta in a state of variabil- ity. I could have pointed out in the English edition of my qua cell, all cells are mortal : it is only the substance ' " ' Essays that my views on this point had altered since their publi- of heredity which some cells contain that can be said, cation; my friend Professor de Bary, too early lost to science, had in any sense of the term, to be immortal. For the im- already called my attention to those parthenogenetic Fungi which mortality in question does not belong to unicellular Professor Vines justly cites against my views; but I desired, on organisms as such, but to the germ-plasm which they grounds already mentioned, to undertake no alteration in the

essays." ("Nature," vol. xli. p. 322 ) contain. And from this it follows that, as the immor- tality of germ-plasm is one and the same thing as the Next, in his essay on Amphimixis (1892), there are continuity of germ-plasm, by alleging an immortality several passages to somewhat the same effect; while, as belonging to the unicellular organisms, Weismann lastly, in his Germ-plasm (1893), the fundamental pos- is merely- restating his fundamental postulate. Hence, tulate in question is, as I have said, expressly sur- also, he is but denying, in a somewhat round about rendered. For example, we have in the following waj', the occurrence of spontaneous generation. words the final conclusions of his recent arguments. I conclude, therefore, that his sole remaining dis- Speaking of ampHimixis, he says: tinction between the unicellular and the multicellular " // is not iJie priiiuiry iause of hereditary vnrialiou. By its organisms is but illusory, or unreal. And, with regard means those specific variations which already exist in a species may continually be blended in a fresh manner, but it is incapable to the great change which he has thus effected in his of giving rise to new variations, even though it often appears to do system by expressly abolishing all the other distinc- so TJie catise ofhereditary variation mtut He deeper titan this. tions, I have only to say that in my opinion he has It must be due to the direct effects of external influences on the hio- thereby greatly improved his system. For he has thus pliores and determinants." ("The Germ-plasm," pp. 414-415. Italics Weismann's.) relieved it of all the formidable difficulties which he had needlessly created for himself, and which I have already These quotations are enough to show that Weis- enumerated in another place. (See my new work.) In mann has now abandoned his original theory of con- his ever-shifting drama of evolution the unicellular or- genital variations being exclusively due to amphimixis, ganisms have left the stage en masse, and, so far as they and adopts in its stead the precisely opposite view are concerned, we are all as we were before the cur- viz., that the origin of all such variations must be tain rose. ascribed to the direct influence of causes acting on But of even more importance than this fundamen- germ-plasm from without. Up to the present year tal change of view with regard to the unicellular organ- the very essence of the whole Weismannian theory ism, is a further and no less fundamental change with of evolution has been that, owing to the stability of regard to the multicellular. That such is the case will germ plasm since the first origin of sexual propaga- immediately become apparent by a simple statement tion, "the origin of hereditary individual variations of the fact, that Weismann has now e.xpressly sur- cannot indeed be found in the higher organisms, the rendered his postulate of ^the absolute stability of Metazoa and Metaphyta; but is to be sought for in the germ-plasm! lowest— the unicellular organisms, " because "the for- Even in the first volume of his Essays, there are mation of new species, which among the lower Pro- some passages which give an uncertain sound with tozoa could be achieved without amphigony, could regard to this matter. But as they seemed attribut- only by attained by means of this process in the Me- able to mere carelessness on the part of their author, tazoa and Metaphyta. It was only in this way that — —

XHK OPEN COURT. Ill hereditary individual differences could arise and per- tulate of the absolute stability of germ-plasm, is so

(" Essays," vol. i. 2S4. peculiar that it is hard to epitomise his reasoning with sist." p. ) But about the beginning of the present year we due regard to brevity. have this fundamental doctrine directly contradicted Speaking for myself, I can only say that my first in such words as: impulse, after reading the sentences above quoted, was to cancel all the criticisms which I had written of " The origin of a variation is equally independent of selection the Weismannian theory of evolution; and then to and amphimixis, and is due to the constant occurrence of slight a statement that this theory had inequalities of nutrition in the germ-plasm." ( "The Germ-plasm," start anew with bare its author. But after P- 43I-) now been wholly discarded by desirable to leave the crit- This complete reversal of his previous doctrine due consideration it seemed written, because I found it brings Weismann into line with Darwin, who long ago icism as it was originally to start a new criticism of the gave very good reasons for the following conclusion: — would be impracticable greatly modified theory of evolution without intro- "Those authors who, like Pallas, attnbuteall variability to the ducing many and lengthy parts of the old one, for the crossing either of distinct races, or to distinct individuals belong- recent theory had ing to the same race but somewhat different from each other, are purpose of showing how the most in error; as are those authors who attribute all variability to the been arrived at. " [to Bli CONCLUDED.] mere act of sexual anion (amj'himixis)." (" Variation etc., vol. i. p. 39S.) And again: PUBLIC.VTIONS

"These several considerations alone render it probable that variability of every kind is directly or indiiectly caused by changed conditions of life. Or, to put ii under another point of OFE-XCOrKTlTBLlSIUXGCO. view, if it were possible to expose a'l the iniividuals of a species uniform conditions of life, during many generations to absolutely BINET, ALFRED. there would be no variability." ("Ibid," vol., ii p 242.) THK PSYCHIC LIFE OF MICRO-ORGANISMS.

Cloth, cents : Paper, 50 cents. Hence, Darwin was disposed to find the main, if Authorised translation. 135 pages. 75 ON DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS. not the onl}', causes of congenital variations in cir- New studies in Experimental Psychology. 93 pages. Paper, 50 cents. cumstances depending for their efficacy on the insta- CARUS, PAUL. bilifx of what Weismann calls germ-plasm. And the THE ETHICAL PROBLEM. noteworthy fact is, that Weismann has now adopted Three lectures delivered at the invitation of the Board of Trustees this view, to the destruction of his originally funda- before the Society for Ethical Culture in Chicago, in June, 1S90. 90 pages. Cloth, 50 cents. Paper. 30 cents. mental postulate touching the jV(7/?////)' of germ plasm THE SOUL OF MAN. since the first origin of sexual propagation. An Investigation of the Facts of Physiological and Experimental Psy- chology. With 152 illustrative cuts and diagrams. 45S pages. Cloth By such a right-about-face manoeuvre, Weismann »3-oo. has placed his critics in a somewhat difficult position. FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS. Philosophy as a Systematic .Arrangement of Knowl- For, in the first place, it is onl}- towards the close of The Method of edge. Second edition, enlarged and revised. 372 pages. Cloth, Si. 50. The Germ-plasm that the manoeuvre is executed, and HOMILIES OF SCIENCE. then only in a few sentences such as I have just 310 pages. Cloth, Gilt Top, Si. 50. quoted— italicised, it is true, but otherwise so slightly THE IDEA OF GOD. A disquisition upon the development of the idea of God. 32 pages. that, as Professor Hortog has observed, emphasised Paper, 15 cents. no one of his reviewers has noticed it.* In the second MONISM AND MELIORISM. A Philosophical Essay on Causality and Ethics. 83 pages. Paper, 50 place, he nowhere expressly recognises the effects cents. evolution, necessarily follow upon his theory of which TRUTH IN FICTION. Twelve Tales with a Moral. from the change. And, lastly, the manner in which Printed on fine laid paper, white and gold binding, gilt edges, \ii pages. Price. Sioo. he endeavours to underpin that theory after having THE RELIGION OF SCIENCE. thus removed its logical foundation in his former pos- Extra edition. Price, 50 cents. THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE TOOL, ^Naturc. May ii, pp. 28-29. — In 1S91-2 Professor Hartog furnished a crit- Paper covers, illustrated. 24 pages. Price, 15 cents. icism of Wtismann"s theory of Heredity \Xaturc\ vol 4+. p. 613. and Con- temf>oyary Review. ]\i\y. 1S92). Although disputed at the time by some of EPITOMES OF THREE SCIENCES. Weismann's followers m England, this criticism was one of unquestionable 1. COMPARATIVE PHILOLOGY: The Study of Sanskrit. I'he cogency, and has now been recognized as such by Weismann himself ( By Pro/. H. Oldeuberg. of the University of Kiel. Germ-plasm, pp. 434-5). The main point of the criticism had been missed by 2. EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY. previous critics of Weismann, and consisted in revealing an important "dif- By Prcf. Joseph Jastrotv. of the University of Wisconsin. ficulty" inherent in the structure of the theory itself. How far this criticism OR, Rise of the People of had the effect of causing Professor Weismann to abandon his theory of 3 OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY; The variation being exclusively due to amphimixis, as Professor Hai'.og appears Israel. Pro/. Cornill. of University of Kanigsberg, with especial to think {Nature, May, 11, 1893, p. 28), is immaterial. But it must be observed By C. H. the and Cornil), and prefato-y re- that as far back as February, 1890, Professor Weismann in his answer to Pro- introductions by Professors Oldenberg Court. pages. Cloth. -5 cents. fessor Viues's criticism wrote the p issage already quoted above. marks by the Editor of The Open 140 — — — — — —— —— —

IV THE OPEN COURT

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