504 A History of Botany, 1860-1900 



Prior to 1860 there was a considerable degree of isolation 

 of the sciences, and their interdependence was only dimly 

 recognized. Botanical research played its part in breaking 

 down this isolation by showing how important for the 

 solution of the problems presented by the living plant is 

 the application of physical and chemical principles to the 

 phenomena of its life. The study of the distribution of 

 plants in space and in time showed further the inter- 

 relationship of botany and geology, while a knowledge of 

 the latter science proved to be imperative in the discussion 

 of the relations of the plant with the soil, which influence 

 so greatly the industry of agriculture. The period we are 

 reviewing saw much advance made in the direction of 

 securing the co-operation of the followers of all the sciences 

 in common investigation and research. These new aspects 

 of inquiry proved to be of more than scientific interest, 

 for they afforded a broader outlook than the earlier years 

 presented. The study of the fungi and bacteria particularly 

 illustrate this point ; though their life histories were studied 

 with great completeness, the aim of the investigators ceased 

 to be the mere determination of systematic position or 

 even phylogenetic affinity ; it extended to economic impor- 

 tance, the study of the phenomena attending their lives 

 and the influence of such phenomena for good or evil on 

 the community at large. The development of our know- 

 ledge of fermentation and the more complete methods of 

 its study, which came into vogue during the later years of 

 the century, have already been alluded to. 



Though the great changes we have pointed out as 

 occurring in the progress of investigation can be traced 

 directly or indirectly to the influence of the work of Darwin, 

 we may well summarize the account of the activities of 

 our period by brief allusion to the more important of them. 

 Perhaps the most striking result attained is the discovery 

 of the identity of the living substance of both plants and 



