vi Preface 



instant way. In this work I am proud to have borne 

 my little part. 



But every gospel must be preached to all alike. 

 It will be heard by the Scribes, by the Pharisees, by 

 Demetrius the Silversmith, and the rest. Not lightly 

 do men let their occupation go ; small, then, would 

 be our wonder, did we find the established prophet 

 unconvinced. Yet, is it from misgiving that Mendel 

 had the truth, or merely from indifference, that no 

 naturalist of repute, save Professor Weldon, has risen 

 against him ? 



In the world of knowledge we are accustomed to 

 look for some strenuous effort to understand a new 

 truth even in those who are indisposed to believe. 

 It was therefore with a regret approaching to in- 

 dignation that I read Professor Weldon's criticism*. 

 Were such a piece from the hand of a junior it 

 might safely be neglected ; but coming from Professor 

 Weldon there was the danger almost the certainty 

 that the small band of younger men who are thinking 

 of research in this field would take it they had learnt 

 the gist of Mendel, would imagine his teaching ex- 

 posed by Professor Weldon, and look elsewhere for 

 lines of work. 



In evolutionary studies we have no Areopagus. 

 With us it is not as happily it is with Chemistry, 



* Biometrika, i., 1902, Pt. n. 



