10 THE LIFE OF THE PLANT 



and, vice versd, history is full of examples of discoveries, 

 which, though unassociated with any practical purpose, 

 have become the source of innumerable practical issues. 

 Now I must summarise this rather lengthy introduc- 

 tion. Comparatively speaking, botany meets with no 

 great amount of sympathy from the public, which 

 interprets it wrongly on the ground of its having 

 pursued objects and been engaged with ideas which 

 could interest but the small class of the initiated. 

 This tendency, caused in the first instance by the 

 inevitable historical development of the sciences, was 

 fostered and is fostered still by the attitude of most 

 botanical scholars. Recently, however, a new and 

 refreshing trend of thought has been observable gradually 

 forcing its way to the front, viz. the trend of thought of 

 experimental physiology. The new awakening of 

 interest is being followed by the realisation of the utility 

 of this science. Agriculture is beginning to demand a 

 knowledge of the physiology of the plant, and in this 

 way the solidarity of interests between science and 

 society is being established. Whereas, however, this 

 community of interests does not on the one hand 

 authorise society to dictate to science its modes of 

 action or the method of its further development, neither 

 has science on the other hand any right to retire as it 

 were into a sanctuary, to conceal itself from the public 

 gaze, expecting its utility to be taken on trust. If the 

 votaries of science wish it to attract the sympathy and 

 support of the public, they must remember that they 

 are the servants of the same public, that occasionally 

 they must step forward as trustees and duly render 

 their account. This is what we have accomplished, 

 they must say ; this is what we are accomplishing, and 

 this is what we are going to accomplish : judge how far 

 our activity has been fruitful, and consequently what you 

 may expect in the future. 



Personally I think this is a problem for what may be 



