The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c9.s4.6

c9.s4.6

The inheritance of specific characters is explained in accordance with this view. Charaka assumes that the sperm-cell of the male parent contains minute elements derived from each of its organs and tissues. (*Cf.* Darwin's gemmule and Spencer's "ids.") Śankara similarly states that the sperm-cell (or the seed in the case of a plant) represents in miniature every organ of the parent organism, and contains *in potentia* the whole organism that is developed out of it (शरोरधात्वात्मा शुक्रभूतः अङ्गादङ्गात् सम्भवति । Charaka, *Śârîrasthâna*, Chap. IV. ; *cf.* Śankara on *Brihadâraṇyaka*).