THE EVOLUTION OF THE SCIENTIFIC 

 INVESTIGATOR. 



As we look at the assemblage gathered in this 

 hall, comprising so many names of widest renown 

 in every branch of learning we might almost say 

 in every field of human endeavor the first inquiry 

 suggested must be after the object of our meeting. 

 The answer is that our purpose corresponds to the 

 eminence of the assemblage. We aim at nothing 

 less than a survey of the realm of knowledge, as 

 comprehensive as is permitted by the limitations of 

 time and space. The organizers of our congress 

 have honored me with the charge of presenting such 

 preliminary view of its field as may make clear the 

 spirit of our undertaking. 



Certain tendencies characteristic of the science 

 of our day clearly suggest the direction of our thoughts 

 most appropriate to the occasion. Among the 

 strongest of these is one toward laying greater stress 

 on questions of the beginning of things, and regarding 

 a knowledge of the laws of development of any object of 

 study as necessary to the understanding of its present 

 form. It may be conceded that the principle here 

 involved is as applicable in the broad field before us 

 as in a special research into the properties of the 

 minutest organism. It therefore seems meet that 

 we should begin b}^ inquiring what agency has 

 brought about the remarkable development of science 



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