The Saving of Vanishing Knowledge

Abstract

IT is well from time to time to take stock of our knowledge and of our methods of inquiry, to see whether we are working on sound lines. As the business man finds it necessary to periodically go over his stock and balance his books, so, too, the scientific man, especially the biologist, should perform an analogous operation, lest perchance he find out too late that he has been entering on a comparatively unprofitable line of work, or has been neglecting valuable opportunities. While it is impossible to say what scientific work is ultimately unprofitable, it may not be difficult to suggest that particular subjects for investigation are of more immediate importance than others.