THE PROBLEM 11 



The gap between the biologists and the mathematicians represents 

 a significant obstacle to the application of the combined methods of 

 research. Mathematical investigations independent of experiments 

 are of but small importance due to the complexity of biological sys- 

 tems, narrowing the possibilities of theoretical work here as compared 

 with what can be admitted in physics and chemistry. We are in com- 

 plete accord with the following words of Allee ('34): "Mathematical 

 treatment of population problems is necessary and helpful, particu- 

 larly in that it permits the logical arrangement of facts and abbre- 

 viates their expression by the use of a sort of universal shorthand, but 

 the arrangement and statement may lead to error, since for the sake 

 of brevity and to avoid cumbersome expressions, variables are omitted 

 and assumptions made in the mathematical analyses which are not 

 justified by the biological data. Certainly there is room for the 

 mathematical attack on population problems, but there is also con- 

 tinued need for attack along the lines of experimental physiology, 

 even though the results obtained cannot yet be adequately expressed 

 in mathematical terminology." 



<€,ej^ 



