lOA Elliot, Inheritance of Acquired C/iaracfers. [January 



rather approach our task with a full appreciation of its enormous 

 difficulties, and in the words of the Duke of Argyll* "conscious 

 above all thing of the ignorance of man." The subject I have 

 discussed offers a new field for ornithologists to explore, one of 

 a higher plane, and permitting a wider vision than many of 

 those they are accustomed to tread. I submit it to my younger 

 colleagues, who have time and opportunities before them, as of 

 infinitely more importance than the discovery and naming of new 

 forms, which is by no means the beginning and end of ornithol- 

 ogy, but rather, if I may so term it, the A B C of the science ; 

 and then by their contributions towards the ekicidation of my 

 theme, they will benefit not only those who are devoted to our 

 own branch but also all scientific men throughout the world. 



*Nature, XLI, 1890, p. 367. 



