BOTANICAL GAZETTE 
SEPTEMBER, 1895. 
Development of Vegetable Physiology.’ 
J. C. ARTHUR. 
There is a certain fitness in bringing before the section of 
this Association which has been most recently established 
some account of that department of botanical science which 
is one of the latest to be brought into notice as a grand divis- 
ion of the subject. For vegetable physiology, the topic which 
is to engage our attention, is like a western or African do- 
main, long inhabited at the more accessible points, more 
or less explored over the larger portion, but with undefined 
boundaries in some directions, and with rich and important 
regions for some time known to the explorer, but only now 
coming to the attention of the general public. In fact, our 
domain of vegetable physiology is found to be a diversified 
one, in some parts by the application of chemical and physi- 
cal methods yielding rich gold and gems, in other parts com- 
ing nearer to every man’s daily interests with its fruits and 
grains. Thus it comes about that, before the public is well 
acquainted with the name of the science, it has differentiated 
itself into two or three sciences, having quite separate objects 
in view. 
It is the purpose of this address to acquaint you with the 
growth and present outlines of the group of sciences, which, 
for convenience, are included under the heading of vegetable 
physiology, and also to show why they deserve recognition as 
important constituents of a liberal education along with other 
natural sciences. The point of view at all times will be that 
of the American botanist. 
In the development of botany in America the science has 
Passed through successive waves or stages of popularity, con- 
Stantly increasing in momentum, widening its scope by evo- 
tial address before section G, A. A. A. S., Springfield meeting, 
1Vice <2 
August 29, 1895. 
26—Vol. XX.—No. 9. 
