November 6, 1919] 



NATURE 



191 



At one time— as, for example, in the early days 

 of the Royal Society — it was possible for every 

 member of a general scientific society to take an 

 intelligent interest in every paper presented. 

 Since then, however, science has passed from the 

 stage of a simple organism to that of a body 

 made up of parts with highly differentiated func- 

 tions. Numerous specialised scientific societies 

 have been formed, as may be seen by the list 

 published in this issue of those established since 

 1869, and many periodicals similarly devoted to 

 distinct branches of pure and applied science have 

 •come into existence. The common factor is interest 

 in the advancement of knowledge ; and a society 

 or a journal concerned with this as a whole can 

 best assist the aim in general by providing the 

 segregated groups of investigators with intelli- 

 gible accounts of activities in other fields, which 

 mav or may not be on the borders of their own. 



The remarkable collection of articles published 

 in this issue represents the highest type of con- 

 tributions of this kind. Each article is by an 

 eminent authority upon the subject with which it 

 deals, and each can be comprehended by everyone 

 who has had a scientific training. It is scarcely too 

 much to say that no such authoritative epitome of 

 fiftv vears of scientific progress, as viewed by 

 pioneers in p;irticular fields, has ever been brought 

 together in any one periodical. Contributions of 

 such high distinction are rendered possible largely 

 because the writers know that in these pages they 

 are addressing themselves to fellow-workers 

 throughout the world, as well as to other readers 

 having an intelligent interest in the march of 

 scientific knowledge. 



Four of the writers — Sir Archibald Geikie, Sir 

 E. Ray Lankester, I'rof. Bonney, and Canon 

 Wilson — were contributors to the earliest issues of 

 this journal ; and every reader will be grateful for 

 the enlightening descriptions of stepping-stones of 

 scientific progress which we are now privileged 

 to publish. Xatikk could not have maintainec'l 

 its original standard for so long but for the active 

 support which these and many other leading men 

 <jf science have been ready to give it since itr, 

 foundation. This is as true of the new generation 

 as it was when the journal was founded ; and the 

 value of the association is most highly appre- 

 ciated. While Nature is honoured by the active 

 co-operation of the men of genius who are travers- 

 ing the royal roads of science, its functions will 

 ■extend, and its influence increase, with (he ex- 

 pansion of knowledge. With this assurance, and 

 the encouragement which the past has given, we 

 look with confidence and strength at the prospect 

 of the future. 



NO. 2610, VOL. 104] 



SCIEXTlFir WORTHIES. 

 XLI.- Sir Norm.^n Lockver, K.C.B., F.R.S. 



THE simple title Nature, embracing all in a 

 single word, was most appropriately chosen 

 bv Sir Norman Lockyer when, exactly fifty years 

 ago, he founded this weekly journal, which is 

 devoted to all the sciences, and has had so suc- 

 cessful a career. The first article in the journal 

 reproduced profound aphorisms of Goethe on the 

 intimate relations of man with Nature, of which 

 he is a part. The poet-philosopher set forth in 

 striking language, which was rendered into 

 English by Huxley, the innate feebleness of man 

 before the immutable forces and the great mys- 

 teries which everywhere surround him, and at the 

 same time the incessant human desire, never com- 

 pletely satisfied, of comprehending and penetrating 

 them. The contribution is a stimulating preface 

 to a scientific periodical ; it well exhibits the high 

 character of the journal at the outset, and the 

 spirit in which it has always been conducted. 



Indeed, Nature is, of all scientific journals, the 

 most comprehensive in the world ; it includes 

 articles of the highest scientific standard, as well 

 as those of a more popular kind ; it has open 

 columns for the discussion of current subjects, 

 and it provides summaries of most of the papers 

 presented to the chief academies and learned 

 societies ; it gives the latest events of the scien- 

 tific world, news about men of science,, and 

 accounts of the most recent discoveries in scientific 

 fields. It has rendered inestimable services to the 

 cause of .science in general. 



Since the first issue the journal has main- 

 tained the form and character which we see 

 to-day. .\ comparison of a number issued 

 in the vear 1869 with one of 1919 shows the 

 same general arrangement, the same sequence 

 of subject-matter ; moreover, the pages and the 

 style of type are nearly identical in appearance. 

 The founder, who in 1869 was only thirty-three 

 years of age, has proved himself a publicist and 

 an organiser of the first rank. During its exist- 

 ence the journal has ably recorded the magnificent 

 discoveries which have distinguished the last fifty 

 vears in every branch of .science ; it has had to 

 deal with subjects beyond one's dreams; and it 

 has been the better able to present them to the 

 public because the founder has himself been one 

 of the foremost builders of this noble edifice. 



Sir Norman Lockyer is distinguished not only 

 by his eminent public work, but also as one of 

 the greatest men of science of our time. In the 

 three vears which preceded the foundation of this 

 journal he made discoveries relating to the sun 

 which will permanently preserve his" memory" 



