“Misconception was especially brought in by describing descent in terms of "blood". The common speech uses expressions such as consanguinity, pure-blooded, half-blood, and the like, which call up a misleading picture to the mind. Blood is in some respects a fluid, and thus it is supposed that this fluid can be both quantitatively and qualitatively diluted with other bloods, just as treacle can be diluted with water.”

— William Bateson

Australian Meeting of the British Association. Inaugural Address. August 20th, 1914.

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William Bateson 16

British geneticist and biologist 1861–1926

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William Bateson 16

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