formal morphological conceptions towards the realm of 

 function; away, too, from any segregation of the science 

 from kindred fields towards a better understanding of the 

 place of plants in the whole cosmic scheme. 



Man's attitude towards the unknown, his philosophy 

 in short must influence his attitude towards botany as it 

 will towards any science ; and since philosophy, like other 

 lines of intellectual activity, changes and progresses, 

 man's attitude towards science is not a fixed or rigid one. 

 But it is not likely that philosophy will ever tend to dis- 

 courage investigation, and investigation is the keynote of 

 scientific progress. Unquestionably, the world demands 

 research, and any fact no matter how humble, if accu- 

 rately established, helps on the cause. Perhaps the time 

 will come when our knowledge of today will seem as crude 

 as that of yesterday now seems to us. Let not that con- 

 cern us, except to urge us to do what we may in hastening 

 this time, knowing that that is where real progress lies, 

 and knowing too that there is ample work that can and 

 must be done. 



36 



