30 THE METHODS AND 



and its applications are distinct: that the 

 investigator fixes his gaze solely on the search 

 for truth and that his attention must not be 

 distracted by trivialities of application. But 

 while we make this answer and at least try to 

 work in the spirit it proclaims, we know in 

 our hearts that it is a counsel of perfection. I 

 suspect that even the astronomer who at his 

 spectroscope is analysing the composition of 

 Vega or Capella has still an eye sometimes free 

 for the affairs of this planet, and at least the 

 fact that his discoveries may throw light on 

 our destinies does not diminish his zeal in their 

 pursuit. And surely to the study of Heredity, 

 preeminently among all the sciences, we are 

 looking for light on human destiny. To 

 pretend otherwise would be mere hypocrisy. 

 So while reserving the higher line of defence 

 I will reply that again and again in our 

 experimental work we come very near indeed 

 to human affairs. Sometimes this is obvious 



