434 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



be in its infancy, and to consist to a very large extent of an 

 accumulation of incoherent facts which are the result of purely 

 abstract laboratory work. Without doubt, however, the 

 practical value of these results will eventually come to light, and 

 well it is to remember the passage from Spratt's History of the 

 Royal Society, which supports the existence of a society for the 

 purpose of making experiments : "If they will persist in con- 

 demning all experiments except those which bring with them 

 immediate gain and a present harvest, they may as well cavil 

 at the providence of God that He has not made all seasons of 

 the year to be times of mowing, reaping and vintage." 



Some authors, e.g. Trolland (191 7), consider that enzyme 

 action and specific catalysis provide a definite general solution 

 to all fundamental biological problems, and deplore the re- 

 crudescence of vitalism. - 



A discussion of the problem of " vitalism " cannot be I 

 entered upon here, but certain it is that with elucidation of the I 

 nature of enzymes will come the solution of one of the most 

 important factors on which life depends. 



