REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 49 



kuew about them. I loved them and cared for them and enjoyed 

 the security of perfect secrecy. It was the full quietness of pure 

 scientific research. Of course I had the hope of doing something 

 that might prove useful to science, but I lived in the conviction that 

 many years, and perhaps a whole lifetime, were needed to reach so 

 great a result. I felt myself secure and at ease, since there was no 

 fear that anybody could infringe upon my work. The chance of a 

 discovery of my primroses and of their curious qualities by anybody 

 else seemed too small, because of the concealed position of the original 

 locality. 



Some years ago I allowed myself to be induced to betray my secret 

 and to deliver it to the scientific world. It has at once been taken 

 up by your countrymen, and the foundation of this laboratory is the 

 mightiest and most dreadful competition that I could have. I have 

 to give up security and freedom, quietness and calmness, and all that 

 secrecy which I so dearly loved. I have to submit to the prospect 

 of being soon surpassed and largely excelled on the path which until 

 now I considered as my own. I have to yield my much beloved child. 



But I do it gladly and without regret. It is the interest of the 

 child itself which commands me. It will be better in your hands, 

 Mr. and Mrs. Davenport, and in yours, lady and gentleman officers 

 of the staff. Pray have good care of it and educate it assiduously, 

 that it may become one of the most brilliant parts of your work, a 

 glory to this laboratory and to the institution that founded it, a pride 

 to your country, and a bliss for humanity. 



