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More Letters of Charles Darwin

CHAPTER 1
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Will you turn two or three times in your mind this question: what I called "pangenesis" means that each cell throws off an atom of its contents or a gemmule, and that these aggregated form the true ovule or bud, etc.?
Now I want to know whether I could not invent a better word.

"Cyttarogenesis" (202/1.

From kuttaros, a bee's-cell: cytogenesis would be a natural form of the word from kutos.)--i.e.cell-genesis--is more true and expressive, but long.
"Atomogenesis" sounds rather better, I think, but an "atom" is an object which cannot be divided; and the term might refer to the origin of atoms of inorganic matter.

I believe I like "pangenesis" best, though so indefinite; and though my wife says it sounds wicked, like pantheism; but I am so familiar now with this word, that I cannot judge.

I supplicate you to help me.
LETTER 203.


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