352 CIVIC BIOLOGY 



Special organizations and journals. Tlie science of our 

 country and the world is not the dead, cut-and-dried facts, 

 ''classified and arranged" in books. Real science has been de- 

 fined as the ''everlastmg struggle of the human mind after the 

 truth " (Lessing). Or, as Huxley put it, '' Science is trained 

 and organized common sense." In essence, science is the liv- 

 ing*', QTOwinor, forward-movino" stream of discoveries — the best 

 knowmg how that all the strugglers after truth are daily find- 

 hig out. As long as there is progress it must always be that 

 the best that someone is able to discover to-day will be ex- 

 celled by the discoveries of to-morrow, and all that we know 

 is but a handful of pebbles on the shore of the ocean of truth 

 still to be discovered. Thus, in order to make sure that prog- 

 ress in discovery shall never cease, men have organized univer- 

 sities and research foundations and the scientific departments 

 and bureaus of the state and national governments. 



In addition to the above are the many special associations 

 of people drawn together by mutual interest in various prob- 

 lems. These associations contain our best authorities on all 

 sorts of subjects, and man}^ of them publish special journals in 

 which members first announce their discoveries. It may be 

 years before these discoveries find their way into the books of 

 our libraries. Hence, if we are to find the best knowing ho\A' 

 up to date, we should learn what these organizations are and 

 keep track of the articles in their journals from month to 

 month. We should first make a list of all local oro-anizations 

 pertinent to civic biology. Some of these may be branches 

 of larger societies, national or international. As we learn 

 about their purpose and work we should consider joining 

 any that may seem desirable, and so begui to take our places 

 in the organization of the community for progress. A few 

 of the national organizations are indicated below : ^ 



1 See Handbook of Learned Societies and Institutions of America', 

 Carnegie Institution. Washinrrton. D.C. 1008, The Worhl Almanac iiives 



