EVOLUTION— PYCRAFT 241 



combinations of these genes give rise to new forms — rose, pea, and 

 walnut-combs. By suitable mating, in further generations such 

 genes, or "factors", can be "sorted out", and the original form re- 

 gained. But the competence of this interpretation rests on the as- 

 sumption, in the first place, that the germ-plasm is a substance apart 

 from the somato-plasm, to which it gives rise, and in the second that 

 these qualities of "tallness and dwarfness", for example are, in eifect, 

 separate entities in the germ-plasm. On this assumption, of course, 

 all characters, whether of structure or coloration, are as much entities 

 as is the whole organism. This conception, however, presents 

 insuperable difficulties. 



The work which has been done, based on the original experiments 

 of the Abbe Mendel, is fascinating, and has produced some remark- 

 able results. But, greatly daring, I venture to suggest that they 

 would be as easily explained as due to the mingling of slightly dif- 

 ferent strains of somato-plasm. 



More than this I cannot say here, since this address must not exceed 

 the normal bounds commonly prescribed for addresses. 



Use and disuse, surely, are the primary forces in the history of 

 evolution. Lesser parts are doubtless played by "natural selection" 

 and "environment", under one or other of an infinite number of 

 forms. 



So long as we insist on regarding biology as a crystallized creed, 

 requiring no more than a possible rectification of some of its tenets, 

 so long shall we continue groping in the dark to get an insight into 

 the mysteries we are professedly trying to solve. But I venture to 

 hope that some, at least, who will read this address, will do so without 

 bias, in the hope that, perhaps, they may really find a new angle from 

 which to survey their beliefs. Hostile criticism, like abuse, is no 

 argument. A review of our position today, as biologists, is un- 

 doubtedly called for. I feel that I shall not have written in vain if 

 I induce at least some to endeavor to make that review. 



