J 54 
The Ohio Naturalist. 
[Vol. II, No. 2, 
passed when it is possible for the isolated individual to accom- 
plish much of anything of value in the growth of science. Such 
instances as the cobbler naturalist can not well be repeated under 
present conditions, and biological workers must expect that some 
part at least of their time is spent where libraries, museums and 
scientific workers are to be found. I recall meeting some years 
ago in an obscure little village, with a young man who was fol- 
lowing a trade, but whose ardent love for nature had brought 
him to take up the study of a certain group of insects, and in this- 
group he had conceived the idea of preparing a work covering the 
geographical distribution for the world With scarcely the 
beginning of a library, with no access to general collections, 
apparently with no conception of the stupendous nature of the 
task he was so ambitiously undertaking, there was perhaps little 
danger of his discovering the hopelessness of his case. He doubt- 
less gained much pleasure and individual profit in the quest, but 
for the progress of science, how futile such attempts. Isolated 
work is often necessary, often the only way in which certain data 
can be secured, but if isolation be permanent, if it means to be 
cut off from the records of what has already been done in one’s 
line of study, progress is painfully slow and results of little value. 
Access then to the world’s storehouses of knowledge, to libraries 
and museums where one may determine the conditions of pro- 
gress on ain' given problem is an imperative condition to satisfac- 
tory research. 
Another condition almost as imperative is time for extended 
and consecutive work. There are comparatively few places 
where, after passing the stages of preparation, one may have the 
opportunity to give uninterrupted time to pure research, but 
fortunately such opportunities are increasing. 
Another factor is necessary equipment, a condition varying 
indefinitely with the problem undertaken. Studies of some of 
the simpler processes of life may be successfully carried on with 
barely any apparatus whatever, while others require the most 
costly and complex of machinery. Deep sea investigations, for 
example, are possible only with a suitable vessel and elaborate 
apparatus for dredging and other operations, and such expedi- 
tions as that of the Challenger, the Blake, the Albatross and 
others involve such vast outlays that only the liberality of nations 
or of the very wealthy render them possible. 
However, the modest student without a dollar to invest in 
these expensive undertakings may have the opportunity to work 
as diligently and effectively as any. So, too, the costly equip- 
ments of marine stations, of universities, of national ana state 
museums are open to every earnest worker. 
Still another condition related to the best effort in research is 
a satisfactory outlet for publication. Probably no investigator 
