4 BULLETIN OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



only have tljey derived from it an occupation of elevated 

 pleasure, of high educational value, and of radiant good 

 influence, but it in turn has profited greatly by their 

 thorough explorations of local floras. 



But this mutually beneficial adjustment is becoming 

 unbalanced. Not only on the one hand are the local 

 botanists by their very devotion exhausting their field of 

 systematic usefulness, but as well on the other, through 

 the consequent narrowing of opportunity for original 

 investigation and loss of its stimulating charm, the sub- 

 jective value of the science to themselves is being im- 

 paired. Discoveries of real worth and studies in pursuit 

 of new truth can now, for the most part, be made only 

 at the expense of journeys from home often longer than 

 time or means justify. The question, then, is forced 

 upon us : In what direction lies a new field for local 

 botanists such as will Afield them intellectual profit 

 for themselves, and in which their enthusiasm, oppor- 

 tunities and local knowledge can be utilized for the 

 advancement of botanical science ? 



Happily there need be no hesitation as to the answer. 

 Through the studies of the younger professional botanists, 

 particularly of Europe, there is being developed the new 

 department, almost the new science, of Phytobiolog3^'^ 

 It ofters in the highest degree opportunities for great 

 usefulness, and it is to be moreover the leaven of the 

 botany of the future. 



In the three provinces of Acadia we possess rich 

 material for phytobiological study, skilled and earnest 

 workers, and scientific societies for the correlation and 



*I am not aware tliat tliis term has hitherto been used. It seems to be our 

 nearest possible equivalent for the generally used German " Pflanzenbiologie.'" 

 and is far better than the simple word "Biology," which is now employed in 

 several senses, or than the word " Oekologie," which many recommend, but 

 nobody uses. 



