APPENDIX A LIII 
engaged in the work, and increases their interest in it and their efficiency, 
though their own share in it may be but of a routine character. 
Money expended on instruments and apparatus makes scientific 
institutions more efficient only as these aids are serviceable in the 
development of ideas. The mere amassing of undigested facts tends 
to smother a science, if theory does not march with them. 
The life of science is the idea, and the life of ideas is in the con- 
currence of the thought of many. The most fruitful source of ideas 
and of their development is in the meeting together of men interested 
in any study, for exchange of ideas. Discussion gives form to incipient 
ideas, and as they develop, clarifies and corrects them. Thereby may 
advantage often be derived from even apparently wild speculations, 
for the sifting process will reveal the germ of truth, though it be but a 
germ. Hence the great advantage of discussion whether it be between 
a few kindred minds, or in the wider circle of scientific societies, or by 
means of scientific publications. 
There are instances in the history of science of prevision of dis- 
covery yet far in the future, ideas which passed away, like dreams, 
being in advance of the time. Again many discoveries have been 
reached at or about the same time by two or more persons working 
independently of one another. As the saying is, the time was ripe, 
that is the way had been prepared by the collection of facts and by 
the focussing of attention upon them, so that perhaps it is not very 
wonderful that it should have occurred to more than one to take the 
further step. This seems to be the most reasonable explanation of the 
at first sight mysterious phenomenon of the sudden burst of illumina- 
tion which at times comes to the world in some department of science, 
as if there were a certain solidarity of thought, of general origin apart 
from individual thinkers, which is waiting for the fitting time to reveal 
itself. That unconscious concurrence of thought should lead to discovery 
indicates what may be done by co-operation properly organized. 
It is not the purpose of this paper to lay down a plan for the 
organization of research. There are too many branches of science, and 
each of them would have to be considered separately. The matter 
however is one which comes within the functions of this Society, the 
first of the objects of which is stated to be “to encourage studies and 
investigations in literature and science.”” This duty is now performed 
by the Society in a useful manner, by receiving and discussing papers 
by its own members and others, as well as those contributed by its 
associated societies. It is worthy of consideration whether something 
more cannot be done in the direction and the organization of scientific 
research. As the leading society in the Dominion, it can speak with 
authority to the public and the Government in matters of this kind. 
