172 ENGLISH MEN OF SCIENCE. [CHAP. 



(15) "I was in a general atmosphere of scien- 

 tific thinking and discipline. My taste for 

 biology began with keeping insects ; for che- 

 mistry and physics, by being led to try experi- 

 ments. Largely inherited from my father. I 

 have made my circumstances more than they 

 have made me." (a, c, e) 



(16) "My father's example influenced me so 

 early that I have no means of judging, but I 

 doubt much their innate character. Their origin 

 was due primarily, beyond all probability of 

 doubt, to my father's influence arid example. 

 They were not influenced by subsequent events, 

 but the tastes once planted rather determined the 

 events. My medical profession caused me to 

 suspend my scientific pursuits for some years; 

 but the accidental perusal of ... . brought me 

 back again to the study of the . . . . , and all 

 the rest followed in due time." (6, e) 



(17) "They appear to have been inherited. 

 My interest in science arose from the example 

 of my father, and the fact of my being for a 

 year the assistant and close companion of Pro- 



