28 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



aided by matliematics rapidly extended the domain of 

 physics ; and physical methods were adopted in other lines 

 of research. Tlie apparatus and appliances of physics 

 were borrowed and adopted in natural history, astronomy, 

 and chemistry to their great advantage. 



The knowledge gained of natural laws through laboratory 

 methods led to inventions of new working devices, which 

 in turn further extended man's power of research. Applica- 

 tion of this knowledge to practical affairs followed closely. 



New branches of science have been created by the ex- 

 tension and application of the new methods of research. 

 Speaking of methods, we must not forget that they are in 

 their general features identical for all the sciences; yet it 

 is to be expected that the individual lines of scientific in- 

 vestigation must to a considerable extent differ among 

 themselves in the minutia? of their modes of work. Indeed, 

 no line of research deserves the name of science until it 

 has worked out methods somewhat distinct and character- 

 istic, and its material aids and implements have begun to 

 assume special and individual modifications. 



By reason of its catholic and general character, and be- 

 cause it deals particularly with the mon; elementary and 

 salient phenomena and natural laws, physics has necessarily 

 developed methods of the most direct and simple t3^pe; and 

 the devices and appliances of its invention are characterized 

 by the same directness and simplicity; and in general the 

 whole universe of science is indebted to physics for the 

 invention and production of the elementary and essential- 

 mechanisms from which has been constructed its instru- 

 mental equipment. 



It is certainly true of the early days of modern physics, 

 that the problems attacked and solved, while difficult and 

 formidable enough, were of a peculiarly simple and explicit 

 character. And the genius with which great masters from 

 Galileo to Franklin separated from the essential part of 

 any research all that had none but an apparent connection 

 with the principle to be sought out, fills us with wonder 

 and compels our admiration. Doubtless the tasks of the 



