550 STRUCTURE AND LIFE HISTORIES 
Mendel, a monk in the monastery at Briinn, Austria, where 
he finally became abbott. In order to understand his 
work clearly the student should examine carefully the 
structure of the edible or garden pea, the chief plant with 
which Mendel worked. 
469. Mendel's Problem. It was a favorite study of 
Mendel's to hybridize (i.e., cross-pollinate) plants of differ- 
ent species and varieties, and observe the behavior of the 
resulting hybrids in successive generations. The problem 
which he endeavored to solve was the law or laws "gov- 
erning the formation and development of hybrids/' 1 with 
special reference to the laws according to which various 
characters of parents appear in their offspring. 
470. Mendel's Method. He recognized that, in order 
to solve the problem, attention must be given to at least 
three points, as follows: 
1. "To determine the number of different forms under 
which the offspring of hybrids appear." 
2. "To arrange these forms with certainty according to 
their generations." 
3. "To ascertain accurately their statistical relations,'' 
that is, to express the results quantitatively. 
No previous student had recognized the fundamental 
importance of these requirements. 
471. Choice of Material. Mendel realized that the 
success of any experiment depends upon choosing the 
most suitable material with which to experiment. He 
laid down the requirements as follows: 
1 All the quotations in this chapter are from an English translation of 
Mendel's original paper. His form of expression has been preserved 
as far as possible, even when the "quotes" are omitted. 
