C.F. Wolff on variability and heredity.
Based on his published works and on manuscripts that were unpublished during his lifetime, C.F. Wolff's views on variability and heredity are analyzed. Attention is focused on his treatise Objecta meditationum pro theoria monstrorum published in 1973. The findings do not completely coincide with B.E. Rajkov's conclusions as to Wolff's anticipation of some theses of modern genetics and the theory of evolution. In addition, the case for the transformism elements in Wolff's work is argued. Lastly, Wolff's misunderstanding of inheritance phenomena is attributed to his erroneous idea of the essence of sexual reproduction.
Gaissinovitch
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N.K. Koltsov Institute of Developmental Biology, USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow.
D000818:Animals; D001604:Berlin; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000266:history; D004626:Embryology / Q000266:history*; D005823:Genetics / Q000266:history*; D049671:History, 18th Century; D006801:Humans; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics