But I would like to call attention here to what appears to me a fundamental condition of scientific work and thereby a necessary result of scientific training. Science is naught if not exact. Accurate observation, accurate record, accurate deduction from data, all of which may be reduced to simple, plain honesty. Anything else is error, not science. It is not that “honesty is the best policy,” but that in science honesty is the only possible policy. Hence, scientific training should give to every student this one at least of the cardinal virtues, and we may claim with justice this advantage as one of the results to be derived from pursuing scientific studies. In fact the relation of science and biological science, no less than any other, to general schemes of education, has been one of its most important contributions to humanity.
Biology has influenced modern education both in the matter taught and the method of its presentation. It has gone farther and farther into the mysteries of nature and opened up wider fields of knowledge. It has insisted that the student should be trained not only in the facts and the accurate interpretation of facts, but in the methods by which facts may be obtained, thus providing for the continuous growth of the substance from which its principles may be verified and definite conclusions reached.
In recent years there has been a wide demand for the more general distribution of knowledge of nature, and “nature study” has had a prominent place in the discussions of educators. I must confess to some fear for the outcome of well meant efforts to crowd such studies into the hands of unprepared teachers, though surely no one could wish more heartily for a wider extension of such work well done. It is encouraging to note steady progress in this line and we should be content not to push ahead faster than conditions will warrant.
Our science is an evergrowing one, and I wish to mention briefly some of the conditions of biological research and the conditions essential to its successful prosecution. The time has passed when it is possible for the isolated individual to accomplish much of anything of value in the growth of science. Such instances as the cobbler naturalist can not well be repeated under present conditions, and biological workers must expect that some part at least of their time is spent where libraries, museums and scientific workers are to be found. I recall meeting some years ago in an obscure little village, with a young man who was following a trade, but whose ardent love for nature had brought him to take up the study of a certain group of insects, and in this group he had conceived the idea of preparing a work covering the geographical distribution for the world. With scarcely the beginning of a library, with no access to general collections, apparently with no conception of the stupendous nature of the task he was so ambitiously undertaking, there was perhaps little danger of his discovering the hopelessness of his case. He doubtless gained much pleasure and individual profit in the quest, but for the progress of science, how futile such attempts. Isolated work is often necessary, often the only way in which certain data can be secured, but if isolation be permanent, if it means to be cut off from the records of what has already been done in one’s line of study, progress is painfully slow and results of little value. Access then to the world’s storehouses of knowledge, to libraries and museums where one may determine the conditions of progress on any given problem is an imperative condition to satisfactory research.
Another condition almost as imperative is time for extended and consecutive work. There are comparatively few places where, after passing the stages of preparation, one may have the opportunity to give uninterrupted time to pure research, but fortunately such opportunities are increasing.
Another factor is necessary equipment, a condition varying indefinitely with the problem undertaken. Studies of some of the simpler processes of life may be successfully carried on with barely any apparatus whatever, while others require the most costly and complex of machinery. Deep sea investigations, for example, are possible only with a suitable vessel and elaborate apparatus for dredging and other operations, and such expeditions as that of the Challenger, the Blake, the Albatross and others involve such vast outlays that only the liberality of nations or of the very wealthy render them possible.
However, the modest student without a dollar to invest in these expensive undertakings may have the opportunity to work as diligently and effectively as any. So, too, the costly equipments of marine stations, of universities, of national and state museums are open to every earnest worker.
Still another condition related to the best effort in research is a satisfactory outlet for publication. Probably no investigator enters on an elaborate extended research without the expectation that such results as he may obtain, especially such as are novel and important to the growth of science, shall at some time be given a public hearing and a permanent record in the annals of science. However much this ambition may be overworked and abused, it must be considered the logical and legitimate outcome of research, valuable as an incentive to work, essential to the progress of science.
The output of scientific laboratories is always pressing hard upon the organs of publication, and though we have numerous periodicals open to all, many society proceedings and transactions devoted to their membership, university bulletins intended primarily for the staff and students of each institution, still adequate publication facilities are often wanting. Especially is this true regarding the suitable illustration of papers which depend largely on plates or drawings for the elucidation of the text. Our own modest effort in The Naturalist is an attempt to meet one phase of this demand, but you all appreciate, I think, that it is insufficient for the needs of our own institution. Some of the more extended papers resulting from the work of either students or faculty must suffer oblivion, delay or inadequate presentation. Evidently a publication fund is one of our pressing needs.
Opportunities for research have been much increased within recent years, and now it is possible for one to look forward with some assurance to a career in research pure and simple if that is his desire. As many of those present doubtless anticipate such career, it may not be amiss to mention some of the opportunities that now present. Positions in connection with universities and colleges now as for a long time past offer some of the most available openings. Fellowships, and positions as assistants with comparatively light duties with expectation that the holder will devote himself to investigation that will advance his branch of science are offered in many places and their value is shown by the numerous candidates for each position. Many government positions in Department of Agriculture, Geological Survey and Fish Commission demand a high degree of training and offer exceptional opportunities for research.