Mat 31, 1907] 



SCIENCE 



851 



with which we try to imitate the subtle 

 biological processes? Heating, boUing, 

 distilling, desiccation, precipitation, elec- 

 tric currents, every one of them barbar- 

 ously destructive methods, with which we 

 blast away at exceedingly delicate com- 

 pounds: "We might just as well try to 

 imitate the melodious music of a Gounod 

 by firing some dynamite cartridges between 

 the delicate strings of a piano ! 



One-sided as we are, we witness every 

 day of our lives the fact that all vegetation 

 accomplishes its processes of synthesis or 

 assimilation under the indispensable action 

 of light; nevertheless, thus far we have 

 tried very little to avail ourselves of this 

 powerful yet delicate source of synthetic 

 energy. Up till now photochemistry has 

 scarcely been used for any other purposes 

 but the art of photography. 



What have we done to utilize the effect 

 of pressure in the study of natural phe- 

 nomena? Very little, even if we take in 

 consideration some half-hearted attempts in 

 this direction. What are the pressures we 

 dispose of as compared with those which 

 exist in the center of the earth? We hear 

 of mines about one mile deep of which the 

 tunnels are submitted already to such a 

 tremendous natural pressure that their 

 walls snap together shortly after an ex- 

 cavation is made, leaving the miner barely 

 time to get out, so as to save his life. If 

 we calculate the pressures existing at these 

 depths we come to very awe-inspiring 

 figures. But if again, we invoke the sense 

 of proportions, we must recognize that a 

 mine one mile deep is a mere insignificant 

 and imperceptible pin prick as compared to 

 the size of the earth. After such con- 

 siderations, can we expect to duplicate 

 certain chemical or physical processes 

 which have been going on under tremen- 

 dous pressures in the bosom of the earth? 

 Or shall we try to find means to enormously 

 increase the pressures of which we have 



thus far disposed in our laboratories, and 

 have considered sufficient, although they 

 are absurdly small. 



And how about the element of time in 

 chemical reactions? We all now are 

 aware of the fact that even an explosion 

 of dynamite takes an appreciable and 

 measurable time. On the other hand, 

 Berthelot, in his memorable studies on 

 estherification, has demonstrated that in 

 some eases it requires sixteen years of con- 

 tinuous action before the limit of estheri- 

 fication is reached and a final equilibrium 

 is maintained. We are not inclined to 

 patiently study reactions which take 

 months or years, and yet, in the great 

 laboratory of nature, phenomena are ac- 

 complished just the same whether their 

 fulfiUment requires seconds or aeons. But 

 in our lives, which are of such an infinitesi- 

 mal shortness if compared with eternity, 

 we look at everything according to the 

 very short lapse of time which is allotted 

 to our little individual existence. We 

 refer and compare everything to it, in 

 about the same way as I suppose the may- 

 fly does to her own little life, after she has 

 become accustomed to the fact that her 

 existence is counted only by a few hours. 



I am perfectly aware that these and 

 many other philosophical conceptions are 

 receiving consideration from such broad- 

 minded scientists as have not grown up to 

 consider science as divided in water-tight 

 compartments. For them the borderland 

 between the different fields of specialized 

 science becomes the favorite hunting- 

 ground for the philosopher. To the latter, 

 scientific pursuits mean something broader, 

 something higher than a mere concentra- 

 tion on a special field, to the exclusion of 

 all others. 



On the other hand, over-specialized sci- 

 ence is apt to degenerate into a mere hobby, 

 where all conceptions of true proportions 

 and harmony are lost. The corner grocer 



