METHODS AND RESULTS.* 



BY "ARDENT MENDELIAN." 



(I) The Present Position of the IVIendelians and 

 Biometricians. 



There exists a Guild of very active and strenuous students 

 which is known to science and to others as the Biometrical 

 School. Its devotees and exponents are noted for the 

 number and diversity of their pilgrimages and expositions, 

 for they are prepared to apply mathematical methods to 

 any problem, ranging from the infinitely little in the 

 realms of Biology and Pathology to the infinitely great 

 in the stellar domains of Astronomy. 



It is true that when at last, after a weary journey 

 over thorny paths, they reach the temple of their respective 

 pilgrimages, the reception extended to them is not 

 always gracious. For the gods of Anatomy, Biology, 

 Medicine, Astronomy, and, we regret to say, even some 

 of those of Mathematics, do not always anoint the pilgrims 

 with unctuous and fragrant ointments, for too often 

 that which is expected by them to be balm is rendered 

 escharotic by the gods. 



With regard to the organisation of this Guild we are 

 led to infer, on the analogy of the maxim of " your corn 

 in my bushel, "f that the Biometrical School is organised 

 on the lines of a field army, and that its constitution 

 comprises at least a supreme " field-marshal," a " staff- 

 corps," and a " rank and file." We believe at the 

 mobilisation of this scientific army martial law was pro- 

 claimed, and that it lias not yet been reclaimed. We may 



*Under this lieading the vaiious questions of discussion that may arise, 

 or which have ai'isen, between the Mendehans and Biometricians will be 

 considered from time to time. 



t" British Medical Journal." March 13th, 1909. Letter by Professor 

 Pearson. 



