It must be remembered also that there is neither nervous nor vascular connection between the child in the uterus and the mother, the child being from the period of conception an independent entity to which the mother gives nutriment merely.

Of course, as has been said, the mother may transmit to the child substances which are injurious, and in certain cases parasites may pass from the mother to the foetus.

The same types of malformations which occur in man are also seen in birds, and it would require a more vigorous imagination than is usual to believe that a brooding hen could transmit an impression to an egg and that a headless chick could result from witnessing the sacrifice of an associate.

The idea of the importance of maternal impressions in influencing the character of the offspring is a very old one, a well-known instance being the sharp practice of Jacob's using peeled wands to influence the color of his cattle.

In regard to coincidences the great number of cases in which strong impressions made on the mind of the pregnant mother without result on the offspring are forgotten.