194 



SCmNGE. 



[N. S. Vol. VII. No. 163.. 



are seeking for the truth, and if they are 

 successful both are adding to the sum of 

 human knowledge. 



They differ, as it seems to me, principallj^ 

 in this : First, the researches of the applied 

 chemists being largely made in the interests 

 of corporations or manufacturing establish- 

 ments, the results of these investigations 

 in many cases are not at once available to 

 the world, except in so far as they lead to 

 diminish cost of production. Those who 

 have paid for these researches naturally 

 feel that they should be allowed a period 

 of time at least to recoup themselves for 

 their expenditures, and so they protect 

 themselves either by patents or secrecy. 

 But this is only a knowledge of the truth 

 deferred. Sooner or later the results of 

 the investigations of all applied chemists 

 are added to the great body of accumulated 

 chemical knowledge. The pure chemist, 

 on the other hand, at once gives the results 

 of his investigations to the world, and is 

 quite content if the publication of his re- 

 searches shall bring him as his reward a 

 modicum of appreciation from his fellows. 

 Second, in their original work, the pure 

 chemists differ from the applied chemists in 

 the ulterior purpose for which the investiga- 

 tion is undertaken. As has already been 

 stated, the applied chemist usually under- 

 takes an investigation, tries to find new 

 truth with the avowed purpose of at once 

 utilizing this truth as soon as it is found. 

 Not so the pure chemists. The problems 

 which they attack and solve so successfully 

 have no necessary relation to subsequent 

 utility. The truth which they discover 

 and put on record may be found to be 

 useful at some time, but its possible im- 

 mediate utilitj'' or non-utility is not taken 

 into consideration by the pure chemist, 

 either in his choice of a subject for inves- 

 tigation or in the prosecution of his work. 

 The ti-uth for the ti-uth's own sake is his 

 motto and guiding star. 



If we have diagnosed the case correctly, 

 then, the principal differences between the 

 pure and the applied chemist are that the 

 latter withholds the results of his work from 

 the world for a period of time, while the 

 former gives his at once, and that the 

 latter is, in his original work, seeking for 

 truth that is useful as soon as it is worked 

 out, while the foi'mer neither knows nor 

 cares whether the truth that he discovers 

 is either now or at any future time turned 

 to practical or useful effect. Let me not be 

 misunderstood. I am not attempting to 

 belittle in any sense the work of the pure 

 chemists. They are worthy of all honor 

 and respect. But, on the other hand, I am 

 not at all willing to have the work of the 

 applied chemists made light of, or treated as 

 though it were in an inferior field. To my 

 mind there is no occasion for either to be- 

 httle the work of the other. The field of 

 chemistiy is so broad, the amount of unoc- 

 cupied ground in every branch of the science 

 is so great, that there is neither time nor 

 energy for strugghng as to who is greatest 

 or who is least, but in whatever line a man's 

 tastes, opportunities or the force of cir- 

 cumstances may lead him, whether as a 

 pure or an applied chemist, whether organic 

 or inorganic, whether theoretical, physical 

 or agricultural, whether analytical or syn- 

 thetic, provided in his mind at all times 

 the love of truth is above all, and honest 

 work is being done, he is worthy of recog- 

 nition, honor and respect. 



C. B. Dudley. 



Altoona. 



TEE AMERICAN MORPHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 

 The eighth annual meeting of the Ameri- 

 can Morphological Society was held at Cor- 

 nell Univei'sity, Ithaca, N". Y., December 

 28th, 29th and 30th. The following new 

 members were elected : Professor J. H. Com- 

 stock, Cornell University ; Mr. Ulric Dahl- 

 gren, Princeton University ; Professor 



