412 WORK OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL STATION AT PARIS. 



As for myself, I am no longer at an age wlieii great projects are pos- 

 sible. It is my desire to associate in my enterprise tbose wlio may 

 have the time and the necessary force to continue it. For this reason I 

 ask you to make use of the resources of the Physiological Station. You 

 will find there means of study applicable to the most varied subjects 

 and sometimes even pecuniary subsidies, too often wanting to workers. 



Nothing conduces more to the development of science than the asso- 

 ciation in the same work of men whose knowledge and ai)titudes differ. 

 Physicists, machinists, anatomists, and physiologists mutually enlighten 

 and supplement each other. The animal organism will otter to them a 

 valuable field of study, for in its i)hysical and mechanical plienomenait 

 gives simple and admirable solutions of an infinity of problems. 



This idea that ditterent branches of knowledge should be brought 

 together is not a new one; it has been considered in the organization 

 of our great establishments for superior instruction, but the combina- 

 tion is not made in an eftective manner; physicists, chemists, and 

 mathematicians work near each other, but they do not work together. 

 And this results from the very necessities of teaching, which, in order 

 to secure clearness of exposition and good methods, must necessarily 

 present each branch of science as isolated from the others and suffi- 

 cient unto itself. 



The fusion of different sciences can not l>e effected at this time except 

 in matters of research ; this promises important discoveries, but we must 

 not ask of it the material for regular teaching. The Physiological Sta- 

 tion is simply an establishment for original research, where 1 invite you 

 to unite your ettbrts and your learning for the resolution of the prob- 

 lems that I have just concisely placed before you. If you respond to 

 ray appeal, each of you, I am sure, will find it to his ])rofit. 



As for myself, 1 shall owe you the gratification for which I am most 

 ambitious, that of having been useful. 



