Secrelarifs Budget. 415 



Experiments with insecticides and appliances will then be intelli- 

 gent and successful in proportion as the facts of chemistry, 

 dynamics, and mechanics are utilized. The complicated nature of 

 the problem is illustrated by the life-history of the Grape PImjUooc- 

 era, and the difficulties encountered m acquiring facts are 

 illustrated by the late investigation of the cotton worm. 



The chief insecticides considered for general use and applicable 

 above ground are tobacco, w4iite hellebore, soap, arsenical com. 

 pounds, petroleum and pyrethrum ; those for use under ground, 

 naphthaline, suljjho-carbonate of potassium and bi-sulphide of 

 carbon. Recent experiment showed that kerosene emulsions, such 

 as have been recommended lately in the official entomological 

 reports, are superior to bi-siilpliide of carbon when used under 

 ground against the Grape Pliylloxera, and the discovery is deemed 

 of great importance, especially to the French people and those on 

 our Pacific slope. Contrary to general belief, pyrethrum powder 

 has been shown to have a peculiar and toxic effect on higher animals 

 as well as on the lower forms of life. Its deadly influence on lower 

 organisms led the author to strongly recommend its use as a disin- 

 fectant, and to express the belief that it will yet come to be used 

 in medicine. 



The paper concluded with the following plea applied for sci- 

 ence : " Matters of fact» do not tend to provoke thought and dis- 

 cussion ; and I must confess to some misgivings in bringing these 

 practical considerations before a body which reflects some of the 

 highest and purest science and philosophy of the nation. , From the 

 days of Archimedes down to the j)resent day, there has existed a 

 disposition to decry applied science and to sneer at the practical 

 man. Yet I often think that science, no matter in Avhat fine-sound- 

 ing name we clothe her, or how high above the average understand- 

 ing we stilt her, is, after all, but common sense employed in dis- 

 covering the hidden secrets of the universe and in turning them to 

 man's wants, whether sensual or intellectual. 



Between the unbalanced vaporings of the pseudo-scientific 

 theorizer and the uninformed empiric who stumbles upon a dis- 

 covery, there is the firm middle ground of logical induction and 

 deduction, and true science can neither be exalted by its inappli- 

 cability, nor degraded by its subserviency to man's material welfare. 

 The beat results follow when the pure and the applied go hand-in- 

 hand — when theory and practice are wedded. Once the naturalist 

 was honored in proportion as he dealt with the dry bones of his 

 science. Pedantry and taxonomy over-shadowed biologic research. 



