February 4, 1887.] 



SCIEJSICE. 



117 



inductive reasoning, or the supporting of every 

 general proposition upon a solid foundation of 

 positive, indisputable fact. 



Learning the names of plants is but the begin- 

 ning of the study of botany. It is like learning 

 the names of our companions or schoolmates be- 

 fore we become really acquainted with them. 

 After we have learned to tell plants apart and to 

 call them by name, we have presented for study 

 such problems as the laws governing their dis- 

 tribution, the relation between the florae of dif- 

 ferent continents, and the relation of variety to 

 species, which introduces the subject of Darwin- 

 ism. The study of botany also includes the fossil 

 plants, and, by enabling us to trace the vegetable 

 kingdom from its first appearance upon the earth 

 through all the varying conditions of the geologic 

 ages, opens those ti-eraendous scientific questions 

 as to the birth and infancy of this world of ours 

 which we now see in its maturity, and as to what 

 it will become in its old age. These researches 

 afford not only the amplest mental training, but 

 abundant occupation for the longest life. 



3. The study of botany promotes physical devel- 

 opment. The botanical student must be a walker; 

 and his frequent tramps harden his muscles, and 

 strengthen his frame. He must strike off across 

 the fields, penetrate the woods to their secret 

 depths, scramble through swamps, and climb the 

 hills. The fact that he walks with an earnest 

 purpose gives a zest to these rambles ; and he 

 comes home proud and happy from his successful 

 search for botanical treasures, with a keen appetite 

 and an invigorated body and mind. He has en- 

 joyed himself more thoroughly, and gained more 

 substantial benefit, than those who have devoted 

 the same time to the bat, the racket, or the bi- 

 cycle. In his vacations the young botanist can 

 toughen himself by making long and delightful 

 excursions, living all summer in the open air, and 

 may even have opportunities for joining govern- 

 ment exploring parties, and enjoying the active 

 out-of-door life full of adventure and useful ex- 

 perience. 



3. The study of botany is of great practical 

 utility. It is an essential preparation for several 

 important pursuits. The physician and pharma- 

 cist need to have a practical knowledge of those 

 plants which are used as medicines ; and, if this 

 knowledge is not acquired in early life, the oppor- 

 tunity never afterward presents itself. For the 

 protection of our rapidly dwindling forests, the 

 services of many skilled foresters will soon be 

 required ; and the forester must be a practical 

 botanist. So must also the horticulturist, whether 

 professional or amateur. For the most accom- 

 plished botanists, who desire to make this their 



life-work, there will always be places as instruct- 

 ors in our many colleges. 



4. The study of botany is a source of lifelong 

 happiness. Whatever may be one's station or 

 pursuit in life, it is a great thing to have an in- 

 tellectual hobby, which will afford agreeable and 

 elevating occupation in all leisure hours. Botany 

 is one of the best of hobbies. It can be studied 

 out of doors from early spring till the snow falls : 

 and even in winter there is plenty to be done in 

 the analysis of dried specimens and the care of 

 the herbarium. The botanist lives in the fresh 

 air and sunshine ; and when he leaves the world 

 behind, and seeks, amid the solitudes of Nature, 

 to penetrate her wondrous mysteries, he feels the 

 quickenings of a higher life. A taste for botany 

 wonderfully enhances the pleasures of travel, and 

 also gives happiness and content to him who stays 

 at home. It is equally efficacious in preventing 

 the ennui of wealth and the anxieties of poverty. 

 If one's surroundings are uncongenial, and life 

 proves full of cares and disappointments, it is a 

 great solace to be able to say with Aurora Leigh, 



" I was not therefore sad, 

 My soul was singing at a work apart." 



For these reasons it is obvious that the study of 

 botany is peculiarly rich in those elements which 

 conduce to a vigorous mind and body and a 

 robust character. It is therefore ytre-eminently 

 a manly study, and an invaluable part of a young 

 man's education. The student may rest assured 

 that the time and effort devoted to it are well 

 spent ; for the result will be to make him a wiser, 

 stronger, more useful, and happier man. 



J. F. A. Adams, M.D. 



THE TENDENCY OF CONTEMPORARY 

 GERMAN THOUGHT. 



Robert Zimmermann, writing of contemporary 

 German literature in the Athenaeum, expresses the 

 following opinion as to the philosophic tendency 

 in Germany : — 



" Scientific men, particularly physiologists and 

 anthropologists, whose problems involuntarily 

 touch on the domain of philosophy, and in par- 

 ticular of psychology, are yielding to a spiritual- 

 istic impulse that attracts them beyond the limits 

 of the material. The science of man, according 

 to the opinion prevalent among naturalists, is a 

 chapter in zoology. The ' Entwicklungsgeschichte 

 des menschlichen Geistes,' by Gustav Hauffe, of 

 which the first part previously published contains 

 'Anthropology,' ti'aces back the essence of man's 

 nature to an absolute and indissoluble union of the 

 corporeal with the psychic element, the spiritual 

 soul with the material body, — a method that re- 



