Scientific associations : their rise, progress, and influence : with a history of the Hunterian Society : an oration / by Henry I. Fotherby.

  • Fotherby, Henry I. (Henry Isaac)
Date:
1869
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Scientific associations : their rise, progress, and influence : with a history of the Hunterian Society : an oration / by Henry I. Fotherby. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    nature, education, and experience (which is not the case), for the formation of just conclusions, all are not similarly qualified; there are diversities of gifts, even with the same spirit. One man naturally, or by education reasons by Induction, another is more gifted to seize great principles by Deduction. This one has a better capacity for observing, selecting, and recording facts and figures, and can thus contribute important materials for enquiry, but he does not so readily apprehend the general principles to which these lead. That one is deficient, in patient detail and accuracy, yet gifted with ideas of which other workers must prove the truth or error. And it is, perhaps, in labour of the latter kind, the intelligent accumulation of facts and experience, that the value of these societies especially consists. Powerful, inventive minds dwell apart, and work alone, but they occupied in the cultivation or promotion of science, that there are upwards of 120 learned societies, having an aggregate of 60,000 members, and he gives the following statistics of the progress of these societies during this period : Increase Decrease per cent, per cent. The Royal Societies of London and Edinburgh, and Royal Irish Academies — ^ Mathematical and Physical Science—Statistical,Mathemati- cal, Astronomical, Chemical, Meteorological,and Geological 179 — Biological and Natural History—Ethnological, Anthro- pological, Entomological, Zoological, Linnean, Horticul- tural, Botanical, and Agricultural 48 — Geography and Archaeology—Geological, Antiquarian, Archaeological, Historic, Architectural - - - - 373 — Applied Science—Society of Arts, Engineers, Architects, Pharmaceutical, Medical, Actuaries, United Service - 453 — Miscellaneous Sciences—Royal Asiatic, Philological, Mi- croscopical, Numismatic 82 Scientific and Philosophic Institutions - - - - 149 British and National Associations 486 Total average increase - - - - 172 —
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