536 Experimentation in Biology. [September, 
concealment of real motive, to be ill-judged in the extreme, 
while the result of such coalition has been already traced 
above. Alliance is strength, but simulation of the ally is a 
taCtic not enduringly strong. This policy being shown un- 
wise, we must choose between reticence and the institution 
of a closer enquiry, for it is evident that what has been al- 
ready said by this “ Journal ” has been insufficient to create 
sufficient agitation, while Dr. Acland’s thrice-renewed effort 
to bring into prominence the distinction between medical and 
non-medical vivisection, before the Royal Commission, led 
to no further questioning on the subject, which accordingly 
fell into subsequent oblivion, the exertions of scientists and 
scientific journals being occupied in defending medicine, and 
the anti-viviseCtionists admitting the matter “ a little be- 
yond ” their comprehension : in that assertion there was 
more significance than appeared to them ; the subject is a 
little beyond them, but not far beyond; the only visible indi- 
cation of the remotest appreciation of the matter is to be 
found in the manifestation of a very peculiar feeling towards 
the English biologists, which, to take but one instance, so 
far enables the editor of the “ Spectator” to overcome any 
compunctions in expressing the hope, on a vacancy occurring 
in a University chair, that Prof. E. Ray Lankester will be 
an unsuccessful candidate. But in deciding which course to 
adopt — reticence or renewal of the subject — a nobler motive 
must influence Science than the fear whether zoophily is 
likely to arouse soon ; if it be that “ another field, as yet 
almost unworked, lies open to enquiry,” and that such en- 
quiry is expedient, English biology must sketch its programme 
and remove the obstacles to the fulfilment of the task it has 
pronounced its duty. But we shall be led “ into very serious 
conceptions and questions of the nature of our whole being 
and moral responsibilities,” and the reader should remember 
we are here discussing the question of physical pain ; he 
must bear in mind, too, how little can we form a conception 
of suffering except at the moment of endurance. These 
considerations apply to those also who are discussing medical 
vivisection in this and other journals at the present time, 
but their task is comparatively simple, — it is to weigh pre- 
sent infliction of pain with future alleviation of the same , — 
a mere question of transference in faCt : no such translation 
is possible with us; pain is inflicted, but a ‘‘new element is 
introduced ” in the benefit contemplated, such benefit, again, 
being infinitely more remote. 
“ Our ignorance of the laws of variation is profound.” 
“ The causes and conditions of variation have yet to be 
