THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF 



HEREDITY 



CHAPTER I 



INTRODUCTION 



There is, perhaps, nothing more striking in the history of 

 mankind than the contrast between Ufe and knowledge. 

 While we have at the source of all life the perpetual renewal 

 of progeny, the great mystery of creation, the one act which 

 goes to make life, as life, possible, we find this is the last 

 problem man has set himself to study and to solve. Na}^, 

 whilst science is just waking up to the tremendous task of 

 penetrating into life's mystery of mysteries, civilization 

 has debased the very act of Nature's nursery by making it 

 a shame to mention either deeds or sentiments connected 

 with the facts of reproduction. Heredity and subjects of 

 kindred import are tabooed by polite society ; each man's 

 conscience is called upon to absolve him as well as may be 

 of the task imposed upon him by Nature. He must not 

 ask questions ; instruction is denied him. 



It is time this toying with man's holiest of duties ceased. 

 It is time man knew the extent of his obligations and the 

 consequences of his deeds. 



Science is at last waking up. Where there was ignorance, 

 a complete gap, half a century ago, knowledge is stepping 

 in — slowly, it is true, tentative and hesitating, but none 

 the less sure. Little enough is known about the laws of 

 heredity, reproduction, sex, and other questions of equal 

 importance, but the little that is known is the privileged 



