NEGLECTED FIELDS 



Dr. F. C. Clark 



NOTWITHSTANDING the cxtensivc and careful work that has been 

 done in many Hnes of scientific endeavor, there yet remains very 

 much to be accomplished in all departments. 



Even in those specialties in which the greatest number of workers 

 are interested it must be admitted that only a beginning has been 

 made. 



It is with these thoughts in view that I wish to call the attention 

 of the friends of the Academy and all lovers of nature to the great 

 need of workers in all departments of scientific research. 



Scarcely a day passes in which I do not have to give answer to 

 some earnest inquirer about some bird, insect or flower, and while I 

 am always glad to give the best reply possible to me, my learning has 

 limitations, and only a few to whom knowledge is so welcome and so 

 much needed, can possibly come within reach of the little help that I 

 might give. Therefore, we see that the need of having persons in 

 every community who shall be willing and able to render assistance is 

 very great. 



The spirit and purpose of the Academy is to accomplish this very 

 thing and it is my intention in this sketch to call attention to the cry- 

 ing needs in the case and to suggest means by which the desired results 

 may be accomplished- 



I wish particularly to call attention to the very great cultural 

 value of scientific study entirely apart from its economic or ultilita- 

 rian aspect. The finest poems in any language have to do with the 

 things of nature, and the most nearly immortal of the poets are those 

 who are in most perfect rapport with the fundamental principles un- 

 derlying the things of the universe. 



If we look at the matter from the viewpoint of a sound, depend- 

 able personality we cannot do otherwise than conclude that the most 

 stable and perfectly balanced minds are those that are profoundly 

 versed in the problems of science. 



' If we would wish to have the young men and women well bal- 

 anced and rational we must ground them in the lines of thought that 

 lead to that end. 



Those who are doing the best work in any line are those who use 

 the microscope as an aid to their natural vision and the instrument 

 in question has led forward many a seeker for truth who might have 

 given up the pursuit without the stimulus and added advantage of 

 being able to see more clearly minute objects. The growth of the 

 microscope has, in a large degree, kept pace with the development 

 of science, for we could not make progress in some departments with- 

 out it. 



Any member of the Academy or any of our friends who wish to 

 take up the study of any branch of microscopy will find one or 

 more persons within the Academy who will take pleasure in render- 

 ing such aid as may be necessary in assuring them a good start. 



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