Acquired Characters and Congenital Variation

Abstract

BEING one of those who do not believe that either the theory of Darwin or the theory of Lamarck gives any adequate or rational account of the “origin of species,” I am always glad to see any controversy which pits the one of them against the other. It is by such controversy that the weak points of each are best exposed. But I now write in the interests of peace and conciliation. Prof. Ray Lankester seems to me to be much too belligerent. I see no necessary antagonism between “congenital variation” and the transmission of “acquired characters.” If an acquired character affects the whole organism, and especially the reproductive elements, then its hereditary transmission would perfectly reconcile the two conceptions. And this is probably the universal fact. I have no doubt of the hereditary transmission of acquired characters. So far is it from being “unproved,” it is consistent with all observation and all experience. It lies at the foundation of all organic development. But it implies no denial of “congenital” causes. It is very probable that every “acquired character” is necessarily correlated with some physical modifications in organic structure, and that it is only transmitted to progeny through, and by means of this physical modification.