Plants in Relation to Man 505 



grown in a limited space does it appear that the conditions favor the 

 fit or work for the elimination of the unfit? 11. Give cases of plants 

 that show fitness in one region and unfitness in another. 12. How 

 does knowledge of the conditions upon which natural selection depends 

 aid men in controlling and improving plants ? 



VI. MENDEL'S LAW OF INHERITANCE 



243. Knowledge of heredity important. It is evident 

 from our studies of plant improvement that all methods of 

 propagation, whether by seed or by selection and propagation 

 of sports, are dependent upon what may be called the laws of 

 inheritance. The whole problem of heredity, however, is far 

 from being understood or solved ; but certain facts in the 

 propagation of plants and animals have been definitely estab- 

 lished by experiment with a few forms of life, and it is believed 

 further investigation will demonstrate their truth in all forms. 

 The new knowledge of heredity has been acquired as a result 

 of discoveries made by Gregor Mendel. It is to-day being 

 applied in the study of human relations under the name of 

 " Eugenics/' a subject which is undoubtedly vital to all, and, 

 so far as practicable, should be applied intelligently to the im- 

 provement of the human race. 



244. Story of Mendel. Gregor Mendel (1822-1884), to 

 whom credit is due for the modern knowledge of heredity, was 

 an abbot in the monastery of Briinn in Austria. He devoted 

 his leisure to experimenting with peas and other familiar plants 

 in the garden of the monastery. In 1865 he published an ac- 

 count of the results of his experiments in crossing different 

 varieties of peas ; but this account passed unnoticed until the 

 year 1900, when it was discovered almost simultaneously by 

 several students of plant life. Since then a new period began 

 in the study and application of the forces and processes involved 

 in heredity. New views have been made available that are of 

 great practical value to the gardener and to the breeder of ani- 

 mals, and to all who desire to understand the facts of inheritance. 



