ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.] BIOGRAPHY 13 



feel that we might have expected, and with all propriety, one or even several monumental 

 works such as the Bibliographical Index to North American Fungi, already alluded to, some 

 monographs and revisions, but it was not to be. His index work, published and unpublished, 

 numerous lists and occasional notes such as most of his later publications consisted of, are 

 most grateful, but aggravating, as promise unfulfilled. His knowledge of the fleshy fungi 

 was second only to that of his on the parasitic fungi, but we possess little of it. Even his 

 coUection of wonderful printed plates was not brought to publication. He is perhaps to be 

 envied in that he leaves us in the Dosition of Oliver Twist, asking hungrily for more with never 

 an approach toward satiety. 



Farlow's attitude toward general questions of a botanical or biological nature was largely 

 expressed in conversation or in his public addresses, some of which have, fortunately for us, 

 been printed. In conversation and formal address, he showed keenness of vision as well as 

 great modesty, which he was inclined to cloak under pessimistic or sarcastic utterance. His 

 classic statements, humorous or sarcastic, were generally the opening statements or used at 

 times in the body of the address to suggest a "reductio ad absurdum." There has already been 

 quoted in another account of Farlow an extract from his address before the American Associa- 

 tion in 1905. In introducing his subject, which was entitled "The popular conception of the 

 scientific man at the present day," Doctor Farlow says: 



What is or is not progress, depends, of course, upon the point of view. Some are so far ahead of the major- 

 ity that they cannot see how much progress is made by those behind them. Others are so far in the rear that 

 they cannot distinguish what is going on ahead of them. We must also admit that there are different direc- 

 tions in which progress can be made. You have all seen the agile crab, and been surprised to find how rapidly 

 he gets over the ground, although he never seems to go ahead, but to scramble off sidewise. The crab perhaps 

 wonders why men are so stupid as to try to move straight forward. It is a popular belief, but, not being a zool- 

 ogist, I caDnot vouch for its correctness, that the squid progresses backward, discharging a large amount of 

 ink. One might perhaps ask: Is the progress of science sometimes like that of the crab, rapid, but not straight- 

 forward; or, like the squid, may not the emission of a large amount of printer's ink really conceal a backward 

 movement? 



On another occasion, but at dinner and consequently informal, Farlow alluded to conven- 

 tions and meetings and their purpose by relating the difficulties Mrs. Farlow experienced in 

 obtaining eggs of the proper quality. On consulting with various dealers she was instructed 

 and had trials of various grades, from "fresh," through "strictly fresh" to "newly laid" eggs. 

 On inquiring as to how one could tell when eggs were newly laid she was informed, "by the 

 cackle." Farlow then said, "How are we going to tell the newly laid discoveries at our meetings? 

 The answer is, 'by the cackle.' " His attitude toward most of the newly announced discover- 

 ies was, as was natural to him in all things, skeptical. His address expresses this over and 

 over again. On one occasion (Amer. Soc. Naturalists, 1886), he said: 



Probably a good many of my hearers have heard the remark, "I suppose you must make considerable out 

 of your scientific papers." Unfortunately, with the exception of text-books of a lower grade, one is only too 

 glad not to be money out of pocket. I fear that you all can bear witness that, with rare exceptions, your pub- 

 lished papers have never paid for themselves. It is only after the results of research have reached a homoeo- 

 pathic dilution in some text-book or popular article that they begin to pay. Of such dilutions we already have 

 an abundance, and the more important point is to get something new which will bear dilution. Unfortunately 

 the public do not clearly see the difference between the original work and the dilution. The former does not 

 pay, and needs encouragement; the latter is a commercial article having a recognized money value. 



A characterization such as this is certainly definite and not by any means "out of order." 

 It is matched by the graceful closing of the same address: 



But you will probably think that this paper is not like a ball of twine, which, however much it may be 

 twisted and snarled, really has an end. There is much more I should like to say on the subject; as it is, I 

 have tried to avoid particular specifications as to subjects of research, which would be interesting only to bot- 

 anists, but to state broadly some of the difficulties in the way of botanical research, and to indicate the path 

 which promises to be most favorable in the future. If my life proves to be as long as your patience, there 

 will be plenty of opportunities hereafter to consider some points which I have been unable to touch upon today. 



Aside from his witticisms, as such, and often in connection with them, Farlow presented 

 his general ideas in the same clean-cut and pointed fashion in which his detailed work was done. 



