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THE AMERICAN NATURALIST [Vol. XLIII 



still retains the old phrases. We continue to speak of the 

 rising and setting of the sun. In like manner we still 

 employ such terms as adaptation, adjustment, accom- 

 modation and regulation, although these are vitalistic 

 words which imply that plants and animals can transcend 

 their environment and can contravene the ordinary laws 

 of matter (though it is to be pointed out that the word 

 adaptation is harmless when used objectively). The old- 

 time ecologist was very anthropomorphic and delighted 

 in words derived from 4>Cki(o (I love). Ecological litera- 

 ture is still burdened with such words as xerophile, 

 geophilous and entomophily; particularly objectionable 

 is the word myrmecophily, since it is found that plants 

 merely endure the visits of the ants. Such terms as 

 storage and reserve food appear to imply forethought on 

 the part of the plant and should be abandoned. Words 

 like normal and type are far too freely used, for it can 

 not be emphasized too much that one structure or habit 

 is about as normal or typical as any other. The word 

 function, which is per se harmless, has almost come to be 

 a synonym of purpose and may, perhaps, give way largely 

 to role. It is not an inconsequential matter that we clothe 

 our ideas with words that are correct and adequate. It 

 is worth the effort, even if we are obliged to substitute 

 a cumbersome though scientific phrase for a euphonious 

 but anthropomorphic word. But of course our language 

 is less important than our thoughts. Our scheme of 

 philosophy is fundamental, for it determines the motive, 

 the scope and the direction of our research. The most 

 blighting of philosophies is that which predicates a maxi- 

 mum of dogma, the most stimulating is that which de- 

 mands a maximum of experimental test. 



