164 Life and Letters of Francis Galton hasty. His words are, "I
have now made experiments of transfusion and cross'circulation
on a large scale in rabbits, and have arrived at definite
results, negativing, in my opinion, beyond all doubt the truth
of the doctrine of Pangenesis." If Mr Calton could have proved
that the reproductive elements were contained in the blood of
the higher animals, and were merely separated or collected by
the reproductive glands, he would have made a most important
physiological discovery. As it is, I think every one will admit
that his experiments are extremely curious, and that he deserves
the highest credit for his ingenuity and perseverance. But it
does not appear to me that Pangenesis has, as yet, received its
death blow; though, from presenting so many vulnerable points,
its life is always in jeopardy; and this is my excuse for having
said a few words in its defence. CHARLES DARWIN. Letter of
Francis Galton in Nature, May 4th, 1971. "Pangenesis." It
appears from Mr Darwin's let