REPORT OP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 39 



most far-reaching generalizations of this science is that of solutions. 

 The first to investigate this subject was not a chemist, but a botanist, 

 the author of "Intracellular Pangenesis," who is therefore one of 

 the founders of phj^sical chemistry. 



During the last three years this great work that I hold in my hand 

 has appeared, entitled " Die Mutationstheorie," the most impor- 

 tant work on evolution since Darwin's " Origin of Species," a work 

 destined to be the foundation stone of the rising science of ex- 

 perimental evolution. It also is by the author of " Intracellular 

 Pangenesis. ' ' 



To be the author of any one of these works establishing a science 

 is to be famous. It is an exceptional opportunity that we have to 

 meet the preeminent author of all three, Dr. Hugo de Vries, professor 

 of botany at the University of Amsterdam and director of its botanical 

 garden. 



The Aim of Experimental Evolution, by Dr. Hugo de Vries. 



Ladies and Gentlemen : A bright prospect opens before us. 

 Hopeful preparations have been made to start on a new course. 

 Strenuous endeavors are proposed to wrest from nature secrets which 

 •not long ago seemed almost impregnable. The matter of the evolu- 

 tion of organic life on this earth, hitherto a subject of great admira- 

 tion, admitting only of appreciative and comparative studies, is to 

 be investigated to its very core. We are no longer content to look at 

 it in a broad way, to enjoy the mighty display of harmony between 

 all living beings and to sit down and wonder. We want to have a 

 share in the work of evolution, since we partake of the fruit. We 

 want even to shape the work, in order to get still better fruits. 



Evolution must become an experimental science. First it must 

 be controlled and studied, afterwards conducted along selected lines, 

 and finally shaped to the use of man. To do this work 3-0U have 

 called the man that was the first in this country to propose the 

 hazardous combination, "Experimental Morphology," thus giving 

 an impulse to a new direction of thought. No reward can be more 

 satisfactory to a man of science than the opportunity to continue 

 his researches on a large scale and with all the means required for 

 success. 



This opportunity is solemnly offered to-day. Mine is the task of 

 congratulating the director and the staff of the new laboratory on 

 this occasion and wishing them the success they so well deserve. 



