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their studies be not directed to any immediate practical end, but 
are made simply to ascertain pure scientific truth. I remember 
hearing the eniment English scientist, John Tyndall, while making 
a plea here in Brooklyn for the encouragement of the study of 
pure science, say, referring to such students: “Let them alone, 
let them pursue their work without any thought of advantage or 
utility and you will find that in the end hidden truths or facts of 
science will be brought to light which may be of immense benefit 
and of great practical importance to the human race.” can 
understand how such might very well be the result of such study 
of pure science. 
In conclusion I wish to congratulate the people of the Borough 
of Brooklyn upon the completion of this building. I wish, on 
behalf of our board of trustees, to thank the private citizens and 
public officials who have provided the means for its erection. I 
wish to congratulate our able and indefatigable director, Dr. 
Gager, upon the enlarged facilities which he will now have for 
his important work. I marvel that in the past he has been able 
to accomplish so much with so little. Finally, I may be permitted 
to express the hope that as a result of the enlargement of the 
sphere of its activities now made possible to the Botanic Garden, 
a large accession of new members will come to it which shall 
enable it greatly to widen its influence. 
THE SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND SCAN iIEe 
VALUE OF BOTANIC GARDENS 
By Proressor JoHN MERLE COULTER 
It is a noteworthy fact that the United States is beginning to 
appreciate botanic gardens. This appreciation may be relatively 
superficial as yet, but the superficial is usually the preliminary 
step that leads to the fundamental. The desirability of Botanic 
Gardens was not obvious when large areas in a state of nature 
were available to almost every one; but when we developed con- 
gested populations in cities and made artificial most of our open 
areas, the thought of botanic gardens began to take form. 
