218 THE MENDEL JOURNAL 



modified. Here the art of the breeder is at once touched by 

 the introduction of a new standard of precision. The possibilities 

 of raising horticultural novelties is much increased ; " rogues " 

 may be with more certainty eliminated or prevented from appear- 

 ing ; and " types " may be fixed within a few generations, 

 where previously years were spent, and, even then, in many cases 

 only to end in futile results. Most important, perhaps, is the 

 lesson which the newer knowledge of Genetics has to teach us, that 

 some types are unfixable. 



The last section in this chapter deals with the sociological 

 apphcation of Mendehsra. We commend every advocate of 

 social panaceas and of legislative interference with natural processes 

 to read this part of the book. In a few well-chosen sentences, 

 the author gives expression to the judgement of every biologist, 

 alike of the present and the past, who has given to social problems 

 adequate and imbiassed thought. For nothing is more evident 

 to the naturalist, than that we cannot convert inherent vice into 

 innate virtue, nor change " leaden instincts into golden conduct," 

 nor " transform a sow's ear into a silken purse," by any known 

 social process. Our vast and costly schemes of free compulsory 

 elementary education, of County Coxmcil Scholarships and 

 evening classes, which are among these social processes supposed 

 to possess the magic virtue of transforming the world into a 

 fairy land, may be a delusion and a danger. And so, too, may 

 be all the other well-intentioned but costly panaceas that harass 

 and tax and eventually destroy the fit in order to attempt — for 

 they can never achieve — the salvation of the unfit. 



The chapters which we have indicated, namely, I. — XVI. are 

 included in Part I. of the book. Part II. cannot fail to be of 

 general interest. It gives an account of Mendel's life, and shows 

 what sort of man he was, and what Avere the methods of his work. 



Gregor Mendel was during part of his life an Abbot, yet there 

 is little in his appearance, as it is depicted in the portrait repro- 

 duced in Professor Bateson's book, to suggest the priest. But 

 there is something manifested in his countenance which escapes 

 analysis ; it is evident that he was a kindly and tolerant person, 

 for although the face is wholly masculine, there is that in it which 

 indicates a feminine gentleness and patience with little things. 

 His character was doubtless of a complex nature : possibly there 

 were combined in it the sternest resolution and the sweetest 

 docility ; and the academic spirit of the Cloister and the College 

 were commingled in happiest harmony with the utilitarian 

 capacity and clear thinking of successful practical life. 



Gregor Mendel was not eminent in the popular sense, for he 

 was not a " rope-dancer in the market place," nor a charlatan 

 standing on a self-exalted pedestal, but he was great because he 



