468 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



common note of certainty, being herewith differentiated from other 

 and older views on the same subjects, as knowledge differs from 

 opinion. They are thus led to see more clearly than they could 

 otherwise see the unity of the universe, that knowledge is one, and 

 that each science is but a facet cut on the crystal sphere of natural 

 truth, touching other facets at many points, and by no means inde- 

 pendent, but supported by the integrity of the sphere. 



Such a gathering tends to an increase of mutual respect and 

 confidence on the part of all engaged in scientific work. It tends 

 to discourage the narrow conceit of the specialist, who, if left en- 

 tirely to his own tastes, comes to think that his own facet is the 

 only one that deserves to be regarded, and practically to ignore its 

 relation to the sphere of which it constitutes an essential though 

 a minor part. 



Such an association tends toward making specialists intelligible 

 to each other. In other words, it puts a premium on the art of 

 popularizing science, for when the specialist makes himself intelli- 

 gible to his brethren in their widely separated fields he makes him- 

 self intelligible to all educated men, whether especially trained in 

 science or not. 



The specialist is under a strong temptation to limit himself to 

 a language of his own, which is an unknown tongue even to the 

 rest of the scientific world. Technical terms, carried out to minute 

 subdivisions, are indispensable in every branch of modern science, 

 but the student of any science is in an evil state who can not pre- 

 sent his results to the world without appealing to the technical 

 jargon of the branch which he cultivates. 



There even seems a reluctance on the part of some to use plain 

 language in stating scientific conclusions, as if the cheapening of 

 science were feared by its being made intelligible. Such a fear is 

 certainly unworthy. The masters have never felt it. In lucidity 

 and directness of speech and in general intelligibility Tyndall, Hux- 

 ley, and Darwin were not surpassed by any men of their genera- 

 tion. To whom are we as much indebted for the great advance of 

 science in their day as to these very men? 



If the scientist neglects this popularizing of science, the sciolist 

 is sure to take it up, and his work in this field always makes the 

 judicious grieve. Is there not possible danger that this phase of 

 scientific work and the function of the association corresponding 

 thereto are losing consideration to some extent? 



But instead of its being true that the scientific work of the 

 country has outgrown the need of the association, is it not rather 

 true that we are in far more urgent need of its unifying agency 

 than even the founders were fifty years ago? We have all the 



