Vi. PREFACE 



years, and this has led straight to the other subjects, because of 

 their bearing on Lamarckism and Initiative in Evolution. The 

 tentative conclusions reached years ago have been strengthened by 

 further knowledge and reflection, and perhaps by certain criticisms. 

 The furrow ploughed may have been lonely, but the pursuit has 

 not been without the mild pleasure of seeing fresh scattered portions 

 of the field coming into their natural order. The resulting state of 

 mind resembles that of a certain Mr. Burke recorded in the annals 

 of a golf club, second to none, the Ancient, and now Royal Black- 

 heath, among whose minutes appears the following : — 

 "20th September, 1834. 



Present, Mr. Burke, Solus. 



The dinner was good, wine abundant, and the utmost 

 harmony prevailed. The want of grouse was severely 

 felt this day." 



It is written on page 101 of the Chronicles of BlacJcheath Golfers. 



My debt to such writings as those of Professors Arthur Keith, 

 Woods Jones, Graham Kerr, and Professors Sherrington, Starling, 

 Schafer, McDougall and Ward is too obvious to the reader to need 

 more than a bare mention. 



I have to thank one critic, Miss Inez "Whipple, now Mrs. H. 

 Wilder Harris, for her able if hostile criticism of two former books 

 of mine which has been of use in this one ; and Mr. R. E. Holding 

 for good help extending over many years in the preparation of the 

 illustrations, and for many a good suggestion. 



W.K. 



