16 ANIMAL ECOLOGY 



order. This phase of explanation has been most 

 concisely expressed and applied by the students of 

 the physical sciences, and biologists may profit 

 much from a study of their methods. 



When, however, we turn to the viewpoint of the 

 development of the science of ecology as a whole, 

 a symmetrical development of the subject is most 

 desirable. The preponderating influence of any 

 special point of view tends, like dominance in 

 general, to smother or suppress other germinating 

 and competing ideas. The different special interests 

 each have their advantages and disadvantages, 

 as does a general interest. Diversity in students 

 leads to diversity in the development of the subject, 

 and a variety of emotional appeals to the student 

 has its advantages. And just as the special student 

 should devote some attention to the general bearing 

 of his work, so also should the student of the general 

 aspects cultivate some special field of interest. 



The preceding discussion of the aims and methods 

 in ecological study has been intended to indicate 

 some of its general bearings, and to give the student 

 some idea of the tests or criteria which may be used 

 to aid in steering his course through the maze of 

 observations which he may make and the opinions 

 which he encounters. It is of equal importance 

 for the student to be able to perceive ecological 

 relations as recorded by others, because one person's 

 experience is so limited compared with the general 

 body of recorded fact and inference. Further- 

 more, there are also so many degrees and kinds of 



