6 5 8 
A Plea for Pure Science. 
[November, 
both. This conclusion is not merely fatal to one of the 
dogmas of the Old Natural History, but militates against 
the fundamental principles of the Vegetarian movement. 
VII. A PLEA FOR PURE SCIENCE.* 
By Prof. H. A. Rowland. f 
t HE question is sometimes asked us as to the time of 
year we like the best. To my mind the spring is the 
most delightful ; for Nature then recovers from the 
apathy of winter, and stirs herself to renewed life. The 
leaves grow, and the buds open, with a suggestion of vigour 
delightful to behold, and we revel in this ever-renewed life 
of Nature. But this cannot always last. The leaves reach 
their limit ; the buds open to the full, and pass away. Then 
we begin to ask ourselves whether all this display has been 
in vain, or whether it has led to a bountiful harvest. 
So this magnificent country of ours has rivalled the vigour 
of spring in its growth. Forests have been levelled, and 
cities built, and a large and powerful nation has been created 
on the face of the earth. We are proud of our advance- 
ment. We are proud of such cities as this, founded in a 
day upon a spot over which, but a few years since, the red 
man hunted the buffalo. But we must remember that this 
is only the spring of our country. Our glance must not be 
backward ; for however beautiful leaves and blossoms are, 
and however marvellous their rapid increase, they are but 
leaves and blossoms after all. Rather should we look for- 
ward to discover what will be the outcome of all this, and 
what the chance of. harvest. For if we do this in time we 
may discover the worm which threatens the ripe fruit, or 
the barren spot where the harvest is withering for want of 
water. 
I am required to address the so-called physical section of 
* In using the word “ Science,” I refer to physical science, as I know 
nothing of natural science. Probably my remarks will, however, apply to 
both, but I do not know. 
f An Address delivered before Se&ion B (Physics), American Association . 
lor the Advancement of Science. Minneapolis, 1883. 
