Ancient and Modern Science. 13 



multiplicity of forms may be explained. The first 

 works from above downwards, the second from below 

 upwards, and in that very fact is the promise of a 

 meeting place where the two will join hand in hand. 

 But this fundamental difference carries with it very 

 important results. If we are to study the world 

 from the standpoint of forms, our study will be 

 almost endless in its multiplicity. Think of a tree ; 

 the one trunk through which the life is pouring, 

 innumerable leaves in which that life is ultimately 

 expressed ; it is an image of the tree of life, that 

 great Ashvattha, the tree of which we have heard, 

 whose roots are in the heavens and whose branches 

 spread out over the earth. If we are to study it 

 where its trunk is, the trunk of life, we have the 

 unity of purpose and can trace why we have multi- 

 plicity of forms ; but if we are to start at the parts 

 where the leaves are growing, leaf by leaf we must 

 examine, every difference of outline we must record, 

 each little variety in shape we must carefully note 

 and study. Science studies the leaves in modern 

 days the old science studied the life. There is the 

 fundamental difference. There is also the reason of 

 the difference of methods by which the study must 

 be carried on. What is the method of modern 

 science ? The use of clear observation, keen judg- 

 ment, power of placing like things together, and 



