Page:Mendel's principles of heredity; a defence.pdf/13

viii assistance which will prepare him to get the most from Mendel's own memoir.

The next step was at once to defend Mendel from Professor Weldon. That could only be done by following this critic from statement to statement in detail, pointing out exactly where he has gone wrong, what he has misunderstood, what omitted, what introduced in error. With such matters it is easy to deal, and they would be as nothing could we find in his treatment some word of allusion to the future; some hint to the ignorant that this is a very big thing; some suggestion of what it all may mean if it be true.

Both to expose each error and to supply effectively what is wanting, within the limits of a brief article, written with the running pen, is difficult. For simplicity I have kept almost clear of reference to facts not directly connected with the text, and have foregone recital of the now long list of cases, both of plants and animals, where the Mendelian principles have already been perceived. These subjects are dealt with in a joint Report to the Evolution Committee of the Royal Society, made by Miss E. R. Saunders and myself, now in the Press. To Miss Saunders who has been associated with me in this work for several years I wish to express my great indebtedness. Much