I dont know if anyone has played this game but Im having trouble "absorbing" a new skill
in particular its the "jump" skill. just can't seem to get anyone to learn it

Let's wait for a player that has played this classic.
Would a video walkthrough help - here.

Thanks, MaG

Did that get you going, Merrick?

not really, it about how to get "all" 4 to get the skill evenly

Merrick, one WT I found talked about having to absorb a "required amount of new genes" in order to learn a skill. I'm just guessing, but could that mean you need to absorb it from several enemies before you have this one?

Its not clear, and its also not clear who has "absorbed" and who has not or by how much.
Even the colours change

I found this on the GOG forum. I don't know if it will help, but I think it's worth looking at:

Evolva GOG forum