NOTES 673 



are the germs of original and fruitful ideas : we can only wait 

 for them. But we can organise minor research, although it is 

 not apparent that we are doing so yet. The investigation that 

 is needful in the interests of the State, or the local authority, 

 consists in carrying out a programme. It is a matter of the 

 application of various techniques. It is what has been called 

 " team-work," the simultaneous exercise, towards a common 

 object, of the techniques of various workers more or less 

 unfamiliar with each other's methods. It must be directed 

 by some one familiar with the object of the investigation in all 

 its bearings. 



In England this direction has been, so far, entrusted to men 

 occupying university chairs. Now there are few busier 

 persons. A professor in a modern university has, personally, 

 to teach ; to supervise the teaching of others ; to superintend 

 the business affairs of a laboratory ; to attend numerous 

 meetings of senate, faculties, and committees ; to occupy himself 

 with the affairs of provincial or London societies ; and to write 

 text-books. To all this the State, or local authority, may add 

 the organisation of a programme of research, and it is character- 

 istic of the British attitude towards scientific investigation that 

 the official, or business man, should consider that a university 

 professor can undertake this direction in his leisure moments. 

 Can we wonder that it is badly done? Should not work of 

 this nature be important enough to demand all the time and 

 thought of one man? Should not a man who undertakes it be 

 expected to have it continually in mind to the exclusion of all 

 other professional concerns? If the organisation of routine 

 scientific investigation is not considered important enough for 

 this, can we hope to emulate German State-Kultur ? 



Many readers will know that the difficulty is surmounted 

 usually by the appointment of "private assistants" by the 

 professors. The latter are then free to engage in their own 

 personal research, devoting only a nominal and perfunctory 

 attention to the organisation of the investigation which has 

 been entrusted to them. But is this fair to the assistant, who 

 then becomes the " hanger-on " of a university laboratory, 

 indifferently paid, and anxious to abandon his employment for 

 some more lucrative profession ? Is it fair to the personal 

 research of the professor, for that the latter takes up public 

 work is often due to his desire that he should be enabled to 



