42 PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS, 
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT. 
A marked feature of the present scientific era is the discovery 
of, and interest in, various kinds of Atomism; so that Continuity 
seems in danger of being lost sight of. 
Another tendency is toward comprehensive negative generalisa- 
tions from a limited point of view. 
Another is to take refuge in rather vague forms of statement, and 
to shrink from closer examination of the puzzling and the obscure. 
Another is to deny the existence of anything which makes no 
appeal to organs of sense, and no ready response to laboratory experi- 
ment. 
Against these tendencies the author contends. He urges a belief 
in ultimate continuity as essential to science; he regards scientific 
concentration as an inadequate basis for philosophic generalisation; he 
believes that obscure phenomena may be expressed simply if properly 
faced ; and he points out that the non-appearance of anything perfectly 
uniform and omnipresent is only what should be expected, and is no 
argument against its real substantial existence. 
