PREFACE. Vll 



analysis of which it is susceptible, and to which — in view of 

 the general theory of evolution — it is unquestionably entitled. 

 But I have eveiywhere endeavoured to avoid undue prolixity, 

 trusting that the intelligence of any one who is likely to read 

 the book will be able to appreciate the significance of 

 important points, without the need of expatiation on the part 

 of the writer. The only places, therefore, where I feel that 

 I may be fairly open to the charge of unnecessary reitera- 

 tion, are those in which I am endeavouring to render fully 

 intelligible the newer features of my analysis. But even here 

 I do not anticipate that readers of any class will complain of 

 the efforts which are thus made to assist their understanding 

 of a somewhat complicated matter. 



As no one has previously gone into this matter, I have 

 found myself obliged to coin a certain number of new terms, 

 for the purpose at once of avoiding continuous circumlocution, 

 and of rendering aid to the analytic inquiry. For my own 

 part I regret this necessity, and therefore have not resorted 

 to it save where I have found the force of circumstances 

 imperative. In the result, I do not think that adverse 

 criticism is likely to fasten upon any of these new terms as 

 needless for the purposes of my inquiry. Every worker is 

 free to choose his own instruments ; and when none are 

 ready-made to suit his requirements, he has no alternative 

 but to fashion those which may. 



To any one who already accepts the general theory of '( 

 evolution as applied to the human mind, it may well appear 

 that the present instalment of my work is needlessly elaborate. 

 Now, I can quite sympathize with any evolutionist who may 

 thus feel that I have brought steam-engines to break 

 butterflies ; but I must ask such a man to remember two 

 things. First, that plain and obvious as the truth may seem 

 to him, it is nevertheless a truth that is very far from having 

 received general recognition, even among more intelligent 

 members of the community : seeing, therefore, of how much 

 importance it is to establish this truth as an integral part of 

 the doctrine of descent, I cannot think that either time or 



