144 



A% an example I miglit refer to the discussion on Monotropa and 

 CoraandrH last winter and to the results arising from the questions 

 then considered. Many other doubtful points call for further study. 

 How little we know about the way in which our common wild flowers 

 are fertilized ; we know in a general way which are fertilized by wind 

 and which by insects, but the particular agents that perform the work 

 for eaok species are known in very few instances. 



Even in such an apparently simple matter as the circulation of 

 sap there is a great deal of uncertainty, and there is reason to believe 

 that the theoi-y given in the text books requires revision. Many other 

 points are as vague, but enough has been said to show that in the 

 department of Botany there is ample room for all our energies. 



But as I mentioned before, important as our woik as collectors 

 and investigators undoubtedly is, I think it second to our educational 

 functions. I have already given you a brief sketch of what we have 

 done in that way, and it seems extraordinary that so few have taken 

 advantage of the opportunities we have offered tliem We have had 

 not only to put the means of instruction before people, but have had to 

 persuade them to take advantage of it. I have even heard parents 

 say that they did not want their children to be bothered with learning 

 even the few branches of Natural History that have been taught in our 

 Public Schools, and this in the face of the enormous benefits which are 

 acknowledged bv all to have been derived from scientific investigations' 

 It is not too much to say that the almost phenomenal strides which 

 have been made in the progress of the world during the past century 

 are due entirely to the development of scientific knowledge. 



Having said so much this evening about our desire to develop the 

 educational advantages of the study of Natural History, it may 

 naturally be asked what are the advantages offered in this line by 

 association with such an organization as our Club? I would answer 

 there are certain direct advantages of a special educational value. 

 First amongst these may be mentioned the inculcation of methodical 

 habits of thought by which all discoveries must be examined. The 

 results of each examination must then be cai-efully recorded in a neit 

 -and systematic manner ready lor i-eferenca at any minute on some 



