Mat 22, 1914] 



SCIENCE 



743 



when greater attention is given to the edu- 

 cation of the individual along lines which 

 will lead to a better perception of the real 

 meaning of science. Organization and 

 unity of spirit and purpose directed to the 

 scientific education of the public are essen- 

 tial if practical men are to be brought to 

 see that their interests will be furthered 

 by encouraging scientific work and if soci- 

 ety is to be depended upon for its liberal 

 support. 



Finally, it is an obligation of the botan- 

 ist to recognize the beneficent influence of 

 personal association. The inspiration 

 gained by participation in the annual meet- 

 ings of our scientific societies and associa- 

 tions is too weU appreciated to need elabo- 

 ration or comment. Similarly, the impor- 

 tance of the close personal relation between 

 the student beginning research and his in- 

 structor is clearly understood. But it is 

 of the possibilities which lie in the closer 

 personal association between the junior 

 and the senior members of this society that 

 I would speak. It is sometimes said that 

 the younger generation is inclined to be 

 dogmatic, self-sufficient and somewhat dis- 

 regardful of the wisdom and knowledge 

 acquired by their elders. If this be true, 

 it is largely because the printed page has 

 been substituted for the more natural 

 means of communication between individ- 

 uals. But the printed page transmits very 

 imperfectly the intangible something we 

 call personality, that power to kindle in 

 others the fire of enthusiasm, to develop 

 that point of view which leads to creative 

 thinking, and to point the path to that in- 

 sight and vision which has been attained by 

 those of riper wisdom. The younger gene- 

 ration needs the personal inspiration and 

 guidance which it is within the power of 

 their elders to give, nay, more, they stand 

 alert and expectant awaiting the time when 

 their natural leaders may signify their will- 



ingness to give them counsel and instruction. 

 When the senior members di this society 

 raise the banner of wisdom and experience, 

 and sound the assembly call, they will find 

 their juniors quick to desert the paths 

 which, like those in a woods, end nowhere, 

 or which lead over the heights of purely 

 intellectual gratification, or through the 

 picturesque valleys of individualism, and, 

 rallying to their standard, be content to 

 march together along the broad road of co- 

 operation, and united efl'ort, which ulti- 

 mately leads to the heights of progress. 

 And then when our leaders shall approach 

 the end of life's journey, they will have 

 the satisfaction of knowing that although 

 their printed works may soon be super- 

 seded or sink into oblivion, the influence of 

 their inspiration and personality, perpetu- 

 ated through their friends and fellow- 

 workers, will endure for all time. 



W. W. Stockberger 



U. S. Depaetment of Ageicultuee 



PSEMEDICAL EDUCATION 

 In Cincinnati on January 17, 1914, a con- 

 ference was held under the auspices of the 

 faculty of medicine of the University of Cin- 

 cinnati. Representatives of many medical 

 colleges and of academic institutions had 

 been invited to be present at the meeting and 

 to participate in the discussion upon what 

 has been called, very widely, " premedical 

 education." The object of this conference 

 was to draw together the academic and medi- 

 cal institutions for the sake of more satis- 

 factory preparation of students for medicine. 

 In opening the conference the chairman 

 spoke as follows: 



In a lecture to his students in 1821, Dr. Graves 

 said that the practise of medicine can not be 

 taught or learned by hearsay. Later in his intro- 

 ductory lecture at the opening of the session of 

 1837-38 he enlarged upon his former remarks, and 

 said: "No profession requires a sounder prelim- 

 inary education than ours, and in none ought edu- 

 cation to be more studiously directed to promote 



