60 ANIMAL LIFE AND HUMAN PROGRESS 



the ill-considered suggestions of eugenic enthusiasts have done 

 the cause much harm. A food controller would be in an 

 enviable position as regards popularity in comparison with a 

 marriage controller. 



This is eminently a question in which the self-conscious 

 Ego, the individual, asserts himself, and one in which the 

 doctrine of sacrifice for the good of the race is not appUcable, 

 imless it be a voluntary sacrifice of appetite and incontinence. 

 And though I do not intend to press this matter further, I 

 may remind you that every great rehgion has laid stress on 

 such voluntary sacrifice in this very matter. 



The same education that taught continence would teach 

 the importance of inheritance in the improvement of the race, 

 and would make men and women more seriously ahve to their 

 responsibilities. 



Nowadays, when a marriage is in contemplation, it is 

 the dowry of money or lands or household effects that is 

 considered — useful and indispensable things no doubt, but 

 exceedingly evanescent. What of the far more important 

 and unalterable dowry of inherited and inheritable characters 

 that every man and woman possesses ? What thought is 

 given to these ? 



No doubt there has been much foohshness attached to 

 family pedigrees, and among many who think themselves 

 very intelligent everything that has to do with descent and 

 ancestry is looked down upon with contempt and derision. 

 I offer no defence for arrogant pretensions foimded upon 

 supposed or even proved descent from Norman blood, but 

 these very intelligent persons are wrong, and quite as arrogant 

 in their way as those whom they affect to despise. 



They might learn much and greatly modify their views by 

 a study of pedigrees as constructed by the late Sir Francis 

 Galton, by Professor Karl Pearson, and by students of Men- 

 delian inheritance. 



It is, perhaps, an unattainable ideal, but I would wish to 

 see every man and every woman interested in the family 

 pedigree, of which a record should be kept in every household. 

 It should be a source of pride to be able to point out several 



