8 THE FOUNDATION OF ECOLOGY 
as a formation. No method can yield results further from the truth. It is 
evident that the recognition and limitation of formations should be left abso- 
lutely to the broadly trained specialist, who has a thorough preparation by 
virtue of having acquainted himself carefully with the development and 
structure of typical formations over large areas. 
12. The value of floristic. In what has been said above, there is no in- 
tent to decry the value of floristic. The skilled workman can spare the 
material.which he is fashioning as readily as the ecologist can work without 
an accurate knowledge of the genera and species which make up a particular 
vegetation. Some botanists whose knowledge of ecology is that of the study 
or the laboratory have maintained that it is possible to investigate vege- 
tation without knowing the plants which compose it. Ecology is to be 
wrought out in the field, however, and the field ecologist—none other, in- 
deed, should bear the name—understands that floristic alone can furnish 
the crude material which takes form under his hands. It is the absolute 
need of a thorough acquaintance with the flora of a region which makes it 
impossible for a traveler to obtain anything of real ecological value in his 
first journey through a country. As the very first step, he must gain at 
least a fair knowledge of the floristic, which will alone take the major part 
of one or more growing seasons. This information the student of a local 
flora already has at the tip of his tongue; in itself it can not constitute a 
contribution to ecology, but merely the basis for one. In this connection, 
moreover, it can not be used independently, but becomes of value only after 
an acquaintance with a wide field. Floristic study and floristic lists, then, 
are indispensable, but to be of rea! value their proper function must be 
clearly recognized. They do not constitute ecology. 
13. Reconnaissance and investigation. In striving to indicate the true 
value and worth of ecological study, it becomes necessary to draw a definite 
line between what we may term reconnaissance and investigation. By the 
former is understood the preliminary survey of a region, extending over 
one or two years. The objects of such a survey are to obtain a compre- 
hensive general knowledge of the topography and vegetation of the region, 
and of its relation to the other regions about it. The chief purpose, how- 
ever, is to gain a good working acquaintance with the flora: a reconnais- 
sance to be of value must do this at all events. Certain general facts will 
inevitably appear during this process, but they will invariably need the con- 
firmation of future study. It would be an advantage to real ecology if 
reconnaissance were to confine itself entirely to the matter of making a 
careful floristic survey. Investigation begins when the inquiry is directed 
