Show The Importance of Small Things in Science Not long ago I heard this story which may serve as a sort of overture over-ture to what I want to say An excellent ex-cellent gentleman on being informed in-formed that a certain scientific man was engaged in work upon frogs replied Why spend his time in such trivial work when there is the human soul tp investigate The feeling which actuated the speaker is one which I repeat is not uncommon uncom-mon and I may add it is quite natural but it is certainly wrong in principle If we analyze tLe underlying under-lying thought of those who cavil at ordinary scientific investigation we shall find that there are two ai3tinct ideas contained in it First that in order that any investigations shall be of value or ot importance itTnust bear direct fruit The substance sub-stance discovered must be useful for some practical purpose either as a medicine or as a dyestuff an explosive or a poison no matter what so that it can be used for something some-thing A second idea is that in order to solve the problems of nature na-ture only those of the most evident importance should be attacked Such questions as What is life What is electricity What is the attraction of gravitation l What is force What is matterthese are the ones which in the opinion of many should occupy investigators to the exclusion of the less important im-portant As regards the latter idea it may be said that there are a great many very strongly fortified citadels in nature Scientific investigators have attached these from time to time and have been repulsed A good commander having discovered that a stronghold is invulnerable from a given point does not continue con-tinue to attempt its capture from that side but looks around him for other means of approach he strengthens his forces he collects more ammunition and endeavors to keep his army in general in good condition studying the surrounding country and awaiting new revelations revela-tions There is further a great deal of insignificant campwork to be done and if this is neglected ultimate success can not be hoped forSo So too the scientific investigator finding that a certain problem of mramount importance can not be paved turns his attention to others sole solution of which may in the thd contribute to clearing up great enysteries There are hosts of minor questions to be answered and these must be answered before the fundamental questions of nature can be Through the insignificant lie the roads of advancement A alien leaf a bit of stone a tiny flower a microscopic animal may contain within themselves the answers swers to the most important ques tions It is not the leaf or the stone or the animal that is specially investigated inves-tigated but the principles involved in their existence Popula Science Monthly |