Biological Fact and Theory

Abstract

WITHOUT the slightest hope of modifying or mollifying Dr. Charles Walker's opinions, yet may I point out to readers of NATURE that my previous letter (July 2, p. 12) was not intended to explain or defend in detail the chromosome theory of Mendelian inheritance, as that has been done more or less adequately in every recent text-book dealing with cytology or heredity. I merely directed attention to the fact that this theory is the only one in the field and that it is proving of great service in stimulating biological research. Its value to the student of practical breeding is acknowledged by Prof. Adametz in his “Lehrb. d. allgem. Tierzucht” in the following words: “Die zytologische Begründung der Mendelschen Vererbungstheorie erwies sich, wie im folgenden kurz gezeigt werden soil, von ausserordentlich grossem Wert für das Verständnis verschiedener bis nun wenig verständlicher Vererbungsvorgänge”.