PEESIDEXTIAL ADDEESS SECTIOX D. G5 



early mention of this is to enable members to note any ideas 

 that occur to tliem as we proceed and present them promptly 

 to the Sectional Secretary, so that arraug-ements can be niade 

 for any member who has special knowledge of any given 

 subject to lead the discussion. Yoluntary discussion is highly 

 desirable as well. I should be very sorry if a meeting of this 

 kind closed without every member having had a chance to 

 discuss any subject in which he or she is specially interested. 



Zoological Survey. 



It is gratifying to note that steps have been taken towards 

 (,rganising the Zoological Survej'. Limited resources in men 

 and means are the proverbial lions in the path, and progress 

 will be slow until they can be dealt with. 



Genetics. 



The subject of Genetics no doubt occurs to everyone from 

 time to time, and I believe there have been proposals for the 

 formation of a Genetic Society, but so far as I know there has 

 been no practical outcome. 



In view of the fact that South Africa has long since been 

 a trysting place for almost everj- type and race of human being, 

 I venture to say that there is no better place in the world for 

 research on genetic lines. The outstanding problem is that of 

 the intermingling of the races. It is customarj^ to thrust it 

 aside as a matter that had best be left to settle itself, and it 

 may be so; but it is most important. Whether we like it or 

 not, it is a fact, and I feel sure we would be surprised if the 

 rate of intermingling could be determined. My impression is 

 that it is proceeding- much more rapidly than we imagine. 



From one standpoint the policy might be to let the races 

 blend as rapidly as possible. The negro, for example, is the 

 original type in Africa. It is the general impression that he 

 can withstand the tropical sun better than can the white man, 

 but the white man has sui)erior mental qualities. x\ssuming 

 that both premises are correct, if it were a mere question of 

 animal husbandry, one would not hesitate to blend the types 

 in the hope of combining the desirable qualities of each in a 

 new type. The fixation of a tj^pe, however, requires perfect 

 control over the individuals concerned, so that undesirable units 

 can be eliminated, but in beings acting on their own free will 

 this is not possible. The evidence thus far indicates that in 

 the mass the blending is undesirable, more especially because 

 of the deterioration in mental qualities. 



Primary marriages between races should be heavily 

 penalised, because it is a crime against both sides — it destroys 

 them without producing anything as good or better. Eacli 

 race should have the opportunity of doing the best of which 

 it is capable, but there should be no intermingling. 



The manifest desire of the blend is to be considered white. 

 This complicates the problem, because it throws the burden 

 of absorption on the numerically weaker race. 



Poverty (and the consequent lack of education) is a 

 powerful factor in the rapid l^lending of the races. Improved 



