1172 be accused of an error, for whatever may be the circumstances they do not directly [italics mine] oause any modification in the structure of animals [Lamarck is here writing about permanent changes]. But the great change in circumstances brings about in animals great changes in their needs, and such changes in their needs necessarily cause changes in their actions. Now if the new needs become constant or very permanent the animals then assume new habits which are as durable as the needs

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... ch gave origin to them." The transmission through heredity of the changes in the body of the organism thus brought about indirectly through new habits is thus expressed in Lamarck's second law: I I Everything which nature has caused individuals to acquire or lose by the influence of the circumstances to which their race may be for a long time exposed, and consequently by the influence of the predominant use of such an organ, or by that of the constant lack of use of such a part, it preserves by heredity and passes on to the new individuals which descend from it, provided that the changes thus acquired are common to both sexes, or to those which have given origin to these new individuals " We thus learn that Lamarck recognised as being transmissible only those changes which are brought about in a race or species through modified or new actions, when those new or modified actions are really new habits taken on in order to satisfy their needs-e.g., the need of food, protection, &c. The new habits being common to all the individuals of the species subjected to the changes, are, as a result, transmitted from parent to offspring. As regards characters which are brought about directly-i.e., locally through accidents, mode of lite, or otherwise-Lamarck expressly stated that they are not transmitted. On p. 319 of his life by Packard, Lamarck states : " We see that in man, who is exposed to so many diverse circumstances which exert an influence on him, the qualities or the accidental defects which he has been in the way of acquiring are thus prevented from being preserved and propagated by generations (italics mine). He is evidently here remarking on the strength of racial characters. From a careful study of evolution from every standpoint, specially that of Lamarckism, for many years, I hold that not only was Lamarck right in his theory, but also that that theory is in accord with modern science. Biologists, with few exceptions, have hitherto failed to understand Lamarck and to interpret him aright. This is due, I maintain, to the fact that in his time the nervous system and the part it plays in organic evolution was very imperfectly, if at all, understood, except to a certain extent by Lamarck himself, and to the fact that in the present day such an influence by the nervous system has been almost wholly overlooked by biologists, their attention being mainly taken up with cytology. In the present day, however, when medicine is becoming more and more a study of biology, and when that fuller knowledge possessed by scientifically trained physicians is brought to bear on heredity, organic envolution, and the questions arising therefrom, I feel assured we shall in a comparatively short time see the solution of questions which have hitherto baffled the pure biologists. In order to understand Lamarck we must go back to his own writings. We cannot learn what is true Lamarckism from the writings of men who, however eminent, failed to understand him. on behalf of the committee my warmest thanks to the medical profession for the magnificent response which they have made to our appeal, and my real regret that, by reason of the overwhelming number of sympathetic letters, it has been impossible at present to reply individually in each case as was wished and is intended ? '! To all donors I believe a banker's formal acknowledgment has been sent, but this shall be supplemented at the earliest moment; meanwhile I would ask the indulgence of the many most generous contributors to whom I and those associated with me are more grateful than we can express. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, Barnstaple, April 21st. 1911.