392 THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY 



even though it be not proved (nay, even if it be confessedly 

 incapable of proof,) because, if it be not received, we shall be 

 obliged to admit, though, indeed, only for a single stage of the 

 process of world-formation, the otherwise gratuitous and quite 

 unscientific hypothesis of the intervention of a Creator. Still in 

 the same obscure ground, where our observation, through the 

 imperfection of our senses and instruments, becomes less and less 

 certain as enquiry proceeds, we find the Germ theory of disease 

 confronted by a counter hypothesis of Glandular poison. Few 

 besides the actual combatants will take a positive side in the 

 dispute. I would only remark that the first hypothesis allies 

 itself at once with that knowledge which we do possess of the 

 lower forms of animal and vegetable life, while the latter enters 

 upon a field of quite unknown material. But it may well be 

 doubted whether any kind of positive demonstration is possible ; 

 and, if it were, whether any practical result would follow. The 

 phenomena of disease will remain the same, and the methods of 

 defence will continue to be studied, as now, irrespective of hypo- 

 thesis such as for many centuries enabled physicians to kill 

 secundum artem, and with impunity. 



As the object of our Society is not only the advancement, but 

 also the diffusion of scientific observation of nature ; and as the 

 improvement of any art or science varies directly with the num- 

 ber of intelligent persons engaged therein, I have thought that 

 I may be pardoned for drawing the attention of the Society, on 

 the present occasion, to a branch of our subject, which, though 

 very humble, has a special interest for myself, and will be 

 admitted to be of great, if not of national importance. We aim, 

 as a matter of course, not only for ourselves, but for society in 

 general, at the cultivation of habits of accurate observation of 

 phenomena, and their rational classification according to generic 

 or common relations on the one hand, and particular or specific 

 differences on the other. We desire to establish legitimate induc- 

 tion in the place of rash speculation, careful generalization 

 instead of reckless hypothesis ; and, in short, to see humanity 

 somewhat more free than at present from dangerous ignorance, 



