have seen the part which these inherent tendencies play in the development of the individual; their persistence, generation after generation, causes them to play a still more important part in the progress and evolution of the race. The mating of two products of germinal impairment not only usually results in the transmission of the defect, but in many instances the defect actually becomes augmented. Thus the marriage of two persons with a slight neuropathic tendency often results in some of the offspring being definitely insane. The marriage of two persons, predisposed to insanity, often results in offspring who either develop the insanity at an earlier age or in a severer form; very often the stage is carried still further and assumes the form of incomplete structural development or mental defect. Again, the union of two persons who are only slightly mentally defective frequently results in a greater. degree of deficiency, such as idiocy. These phenomena may not be fully explicable on the Mendelian doctrine of the segregation of unit characters, but they are clinical facts of much significance.

May the converse occur? There is no doubt that a high developmental capacity is germinal and just as transmissible as is germinal defect; consequently, if propagation could be restricted to the sound and capable and denied to the diseased and incapable, the aggregate efficiency of the community would necessarily be raised; but would it be possible to increase inherent potentiality of development by this means? The analogy of the augmentation of defect suggests that it would, and that heredity supplies us with the means, to an incomparably greater extent than environment, not merely of stamping out a threatening degeneracy, but of carrying forward the evolution of the race.

It will be apparent from the foregoing remarks that there is still much to be learned regarding the influence of these two factors upon the development of the individual and the evolution of the race. These are matters of vital importance to any community; and no government can be regarded as fulfilling its duty which fails to make them objects of its first consideration. Governments, learned societies and private individuals spend enormous sums of money on geographical surveys, Vol. 219.-No. 437,

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ethnographical and archæological explorations, astronomical and meteorological investigations; but the conditions which influence the development, the progress, and decay of man himself, are practically ignored.

In spite of this imperfection of knowledge, however, certain facts are undeniable. With regard to the individual, it is clear that inheritance plays a most important part, and that the effect of environment is practically limited to affording or withholding opportunities for the realisation of such potentiality as is inherent. This potentiality varies enormously in different individuals; some possess capabilities which only need favourable surroundings to ensure a very high degree of social worth; others are so fundamentally defective that no environment, however favourable, will suffice to raise them to a condition of social fitness. It is necessary to emphasise this point, if only in order to lessen the waste of money, time and energy expended in the fruitless endeavour to make silk purses out of sows' ears.

While it is exceedingly doubtful whether the present environment is such as to bring about the realisation of the full capacity of any individual, it is certain that in many persons the falling short is very great indeed. This is very marked in the case of those children who, while not being mentally deficient, have yet little aptitude for scholastic development. The present rigid system of elementary education only too often results in unfitting them for anything but 'blind alley' occupations and, eventually, casual labour, whilst suitable manual and industrial training would almost certainly have the effect of converting a large number of them into useful members of society. If the individual optimum is to be obtained, it is essential that a closer study should be made of the capabilities of each child, and that the curriculum should be modified to suit the individual.

There can be no doubt that the great and rapid industrial development of the past 150 years has brought about profound changes in the personal habits, conditions of life and employment of a large section of the population, which are inimical to the full development of their inherent capacity, and the most strenuous efforts must be made to overcome these evils. To some extent this is being accomplished, and the physical, and to a less

degree the intellectual, development of the people is now receiving more attention. But so far little, or practically nothing, has been done to inculcate high ideals, to teach discipline and control, and to develop character. And it must be admitted that a series of conditions has arisen which are only too well calculated to bring about the degradation of this essential to national prosperity. The teachings of the Church are fast ceasing to exert a living influence; parental responsibility and discipline are rapidly on the wane; the supply of cheap amusements, half-day excursions and trashy literature have combined to create a demand for pleasure and indulgence which is fast sapping the power for, and interest in, steady sustained work; the hire-purchase and credit systems invite persons to live beyond their means, and are threatening to abolish thrift; and self-reliance is only too readily weakened, and the spirit of dependence fostered by the hundred and one varieties of indiscriminate charity. I do not suggest that the whole nation is suffering thereby; this is far from being the case; but it is obvious that these things are not likely to conduce to the development of 'grit' and character, and no observant person can fail to notice that the desire for luxury, softness and amusement is on the increase, whilst work, duty and obligation are relegated to a second place. It can hardly be wondered at that, in spite of newspaper booms and endless 'recruiting weeks,' the Territorial Force should be fifty thousand short of its establishment! It is to such means as the Boy Scout movement of General Sir R. Baden Powell, the Duty and Discipline movement of Lord Meath, and the advocacy of National Service by Lord Roberts that we must look for improvement.

With regard to the future of the community, if, as I believe to be the case, certain forms of germinal deficiency may be caused by an adverse environment, then improvement of the environment will tend to prevent these defects arising in the future, and will thus contribute to racial advance. Moreover, it is not impossible that such improvement may also, eventually, result in an increase of developmental potentiality. But the racial effect produced by such means must in any case be relatively slight, and is far transcended by the influence of heredity. The fact remains that like tends to beget like, and that

consequently, if the highest development of the com. munity as a whole is to be attained, the laws of heredity must be closely studied and applied. The nation must breed from its best; at all events, it must take especial care to prevent the propagation of those who are so inherently defective that their regeneration by the environment is out of the question. I have pointed out on many previous occasions that this degenerate section of society is increasing in greater ratio than is that of the germinally fit. Unless this is checked it is obvious that not only can no advance be made, but that the numerical preponderance of the unfit and the degeneracy of the nation is merely a matter of time and a sum in arithmetic.

It is thus seen that, while the capacity for develop ment is chiefly dependent upon heredity, the presence of an optimum environment is essential for the full realisation of that capacity. It necessarily follows that both these influences must be utilised in any serious attempt to improve the well-being of the general community. It is inevitable, and indeed advantageous, that the respective advocates of environment and heredity should concern themselves with their own particular line of attack. The improvement of the environment has many advocates and is not at present in much danger of being neglected. The influence of heredity, however, is far from being sufficiently recognised, and there is great need of the wider promulgation of eugenic principles. But the point I wish to insist upon is that there need be no antagonism between the two schools, so long as it is recognised that each is incomplete without the other, and that they are both working for the common good.

The enforcement of laws regulating environment has in times past aroused no little opposition, and it is only to be expected that the same will be the case with the enforcement of the principles of Eugenics. Both entail a certain amount of interference with what is called the liberty of the subject, and a hysterical and prejudiced populace will not fail to place this before the good of the State. Under a democratic form of government no legislation much ahead of popular opinion can be carried; and this is the chief danger arising when a democratic form of government is evolved in advance of the educa

tion of the democracy. In such circumstances the combination of an imperfectly informed electorate with a paid professional legislature is only too apt to conduce to the establishment of a vicious circle, in which true social science is prostituted by the promulgation of socalled reforms which are a mere pandering to the present, rather than part of a definite system designed to further the real development and progress of the nation. This danger can only be averted when the government is in the hands of men of keen intelligence, high ideals and firm purpose.

In conclusion, I am well aware of the not infrequent statement that evolution has come to an end, and that the future progress of man must consist, not in the perfection of man himself, but in that of his social environment. Even if this were true, it is undeniable that racial retrogression may occur, and this fact alone would necessitate the closest attention being paid to man in his racial aspect. But there is the gravest reason to disbelieve the truth of the assertion. Not only is it incredible that this stupendous process of evolution should have worked itself out, that modern man with all his manifest imperfections of body and mind should be its culmination and final achievement; but there is evidence that progressive variations are still taking place. The whole record of the past reveals within the germ-plasm such a power to expand and progress, such a creative energy, that it is far more probable that evolution will only cease with the occurrence of secular changes terminating life itself. Since it is impossible to foresee the final form of this evolution, the guiding principle must be, not to cripple development by imposing upon man some preconceived social system, some Utopian scheme of life and government, but to assist his development to the full by the scientific application of those principles which have guided it in the past and must continue to guide it in the future, namely, heredity, environment and selection. This is the fundamental basis of true social reform.

A. F. TREDGOLD.

PENGE PUBLIC LIBRARY