MENDEL'S LIFE AND WORK 33 



becoming more and more probable that it applies 

 to a very large number of tlie characters which 

 separate closely allied races, it decidedly strengthens 

 the theory that evolution has to a great extent, 

 if not altogether, proceeded by the selection of 

 discontinuous variations. This conception of 

 evolution taking place by distinct steps, some very 

 small no doubt, but still discontinuous, is of great 

 importance, and, if firmly established, may have 

 theoretical and practical results which can only be 

 dimly discerned at the present day. This, how- 

 ever, is a subject beyond the scope of this paper. 

 It only remains to be pointed out that Mendel 

 himself clearly saw the bearing of his work upon 

 the evolution problem, for, after referring to the 

 great labour involved in the method of work he 

 adopted, he adds significantly that ," This appears, 

 however, to be the only right way by which we can 

 finally reach the solution of a question the import- 

 ance of which cannot be over-estimated in con- 

 nection with the history of the evolution of organic 

 forms."* 



♦Translation in Bateson's " Mendel's Principles of Heredity," p. 318. 



