REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE ON GENETICS, 61 
one thing one learns by being a hybridist. We have all produced hybrids, 
although some of them have been worthless and sterile. But there is one 
thing we learn, and that is “ patience.’” I am not referring to the patience 
necessary for watching a seed come up; I am alluding to patience of a 
different character—the patience that is wanted, and which we ask you to 
show towards us, when we are speaking to you on matters which to many 
are absolutely unintelligible. Yes, the practical hybridist learns patience 
when he attends the deliberation of a Conference of this kind. I suppose 
those who are exclusively practical gained small illumination from what 
was said this morning. But we on our side also are learning patience. 
For example, I ask myself when I look round these beautifully decorated 
tables—I ask what could we do to increase the beauty of these objects 
by the aid of those mysterious symbols written on the blackboard, and as 
yet I have to reply, Absolutely nothing! Our union is of the most 
bizarre character. Weare each getting something from the other, and 
we have to show the greatest patience with each other as matters 
develop. I feel every confidence, however, that that union will last for 
many years to come, and that it will be extraordinarily prolific. The day 
has passed when our subjects will suffer for want of interest. There will 
always be sufficient interest in our work to take us over the dead points, 
for our work will become a living reality. I have only to thank you for 
helping us towards this success. 
M. Philippe de Vilmorin: Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,—Mr. Bateson 
has spoken of the union between the scientific man and the practical 
Fic. 12.—M. Puiiprr pe VILMORIN. 
man. He said that the differences between Practice and Science are very 
great, and that few practical men know very much about Science, and 
that, on the other hand, scientific men often lack Practice. I can only 
answer and say that if we practical men lack Science we only want to 
