PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS. 5 



living and living substance, between animals and man, and 

 most especially between mind and matter. And widely, pre- 

 valent is the view which insists upon the ultimate mystery and 

 inexplicability of the Universe. 



Such a non possumus attitude acts as a relentless brake on 

 the man of science, since at every stride forward which he 

 desires to make there are voices warning him that it would 

 be presumptuous to strive to pierce to the depths or to attempt 

 to connect what is separated by an impassable gulf. Theo- 

 retically such an attitude may not only appear plausible, but 

 seems even to reflect the cautious scientific thinker in oppo- 

 sition to the reckless amateur; yet, once such a principle is 

 granted, the scope of science might be caused to shrink to a 

 mathematical point. Fortunately, men of science have possessed 

 a splendid and sturdy faith which has been amply justified by 

 results, and consequently the hypercautious counsellors and 

 critics are doomed to be disappointed. 1 



fields swarming with the mice begot of the mud of Nylus, to the great calamity 

 of the inhabitants.' " (W. A. Locy, Biology and its Makers, 1908, p. 278.) 

 Shakespeare's lines on the bee reflect the fanciful science of his day: 



"Cant. True: therefore doth heaven divide 



The state of man in divers functions, 



Setting endeavour in continual motion; 



To which is fixed, as an aim or butt, 



Obedience: for so work the honey-bees; 



Creatures that by a rule in nature teach 



The act of order to a peopled kingdom. 



They have a king, and officers of sorts: 



Where some, like magistrates, correct at home, 



Others, like merchants, venture trade abroad; 



Others, like soldiers, armed in their stings, 



Make boot upon the summer's velvet buds; 



Which pillage they with merry march bring home 



To the tent-royal of their emperor: 



Who, busied in his majesty, surveys 



The singing masons building roofs of gold; 



The civil citizens kneading up the honey; 



The poor mechanic porters crowding in 



Their heavy burdens at his narrow gate; 



The sad-eyed justice, with his surly hum, 



Deliv'ring o'er to executors pale 



The lazy yawning drone." 



(King Henry V., Act 1, Scene 2.) 



See also Studies in the History and Method of Science, ed. by Charles 

 Singer, 1917; and L. Thorndike, Natural Science in the Middle Ages, 1915. 



1 "The character of the true philosopher is to hope all things not im- 

 possible, and to believe all things not unreasonable. He who has seen 

 obscurities which appeared impenetrable in physical and mathematical 



