Excerpt from The Journal of the Linnean Society, Vol. 32: Zoology It is possible that the presence or absence of a particular chromosome is the factor controlling sex; but it is equally possible that thischromosome contains only certain of the numerous characters peculiar, to one sex, and that its passage to one pole is closely connected with the passage to that pole of the ordinary chromosomes, after they have divided on the equatorial plate. The function of the chromosomes is not yet understood: although the majority of cytologists believe that the chromatin alone contains the bearers of the hereditary characters, some still affirm that the cytoplasm is the sole, agent in this respect, and that the chromatin fulfils the subordinate role of a nutritive substance. The experiments of Beveri upon the fertilization of, enucleated Echinoderm ova appeared convincing, but unhappily the. Same experiments repeated by Delage and others gave diametrically. Opposite results. It seems of little importance whether the transmitted material is composed of actual character factors, or whether it represents a con catenation of physical units, resulting in the phenomena implied in heredity but it is important to ascertain by what means these phenomena are reproduced generation after generation. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.