6; 6 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



science of chemistry has grown to such enormous proportions 

 that no one since his day has ever attempted mastery of the 

 whole field. This being true, what can be said of the vast field of 

 all natural and physical science ? Those who attempt to cover it, 

 or even a goodly portion of it, can not get much beyond the no- 

 menclature used. The best results are always accomplished by 

 co-operation and differentiation in work. The material progress 

 of our times is due largely to the division of labor, which thus 

 enables each individual to perfect his own skill. In my work as a 

 chemist and metallurgist I am compelled to have a general work- 

 ing knowledge of all allied sciences, but by taking the results of 

 the investigations of my fellow-workers, each in his own field, I 

 am enabled to give more of my time to my own specialty, and 

 therefore to accomplish what I could not do were I " a Jack of all 

 trades." And it may be hoped that my investigations will in 

 their turn come to the aid of the sanitarian, the pathologist, and 

 the engineer. But more than this is required in this day of sharp 

 competition, for it is becoming necessary for the specialist, not 

 merely to confine himself to one subject, but to know more about 

 some particular branch of his subject than does any one else. 

 Those who pursue these special lines are the real investigators, 

 and they give us the advanced scientific knowledge which we now 

 enjoy. 



The opportunities of the specialist are many and inviting. 

 Every field of technical work opens up a magnificent series of 

 unsolved problems, the solution of which will bring honor to the 

 discoverer and benefit to the world. Technical chemistry, applied 

 electricity, and metallurgy are yet in their infancy, but what 

 grand achievements they have already made ! Many of the 

 greatest advances in modern civilization and the comforts of life 

 have come through these channels. The brain and hand of the 

 trained scientist transform the crude materials of the three king- 

 doms of Nature into things of beauty for the wants of men. The 

 clay in the bank, the ore in the mine, the wood in the forest, by 

 passing through his hands, take on the form of his thoughts and 

 become expressions of his skill and power. 



Specialization in knowledge carries innumerable advantages 

 with it. The thoroughly educated scientist is acquainted with 

 the ablest writers in his field, and reads and comprehends them. 

 He appreciates their ideas and employs their knowledge and 

 experience for his own purpose. If he decides that a process is 

 imperfect, he knows in what direction improvement is needed. 

 He is not misled by undetermined elements or impracticable theo- 

 ries, but through his knowledge of facts bases his conclusions on 

 substantial grounds. He is prepared for any emergency and 

 adapts himself quickly to his surroundings, for his scientific 



