The letter of a skilled lens maker in the year 1868 to Mendel after observing some cells in the testes of grasshoppers would be like this:
Dear Gregor Mendel,
I have gone through one of your journal papers in which you mentioned about “hypothetical factors” which explain the strange results in certain crosses in peas. As a lens maker, I have built a microscope which has enabled me to study the testes of grasshoppers.
While observing the testes I noticed some strange elongated structures in dividing cells. The testes have many small structures or bags inside it which have these elongated structures. These elongated structures are sometimes clumped and sometimes distributed in different cells. When cells divide, these structures are distributed equally to both the cells.
While reading your paper, I realized that there might be some similarities between the “hypothetical factors” and the elongated structures I have observed.
I hope you consider my thought and find it useful. Thank you!