Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 45.djvu/696

676 science of chemistry has grown to such enormous proportions that no one since his day has ever attempted mastery of the whole field. This being true, what can be said of the vast field of all natural and physical science? Those who attempt to cover it, or even a goodly portion of it, can not get much beyond the nomenclature used. The best results are always accomplished by co-operation and differentiation in work. The material progress of our times is due largely to the division of labor, which thus enables each individual to perfect his own skill. In my work as a chemist and metallurgist I am compelled to have a general working knowledge of all allied sciences, but by taking the results of the investigations of my fellow-workers, each in his own field, I am enabled to give more of my time to my own specialty, and therefore to accomplish what I could not do were I "a Jack of all trades." And it may be hoped that my investigations will in their turn come to the aid of the sanitarian, the pathologist, and the engineer. But more than this is required in this day of sharp competition, for it is becoming necessary for the specialist, not merely to confine himself to one subject, but to know more about some particular branch of his subject than does any one else. Those who pursue these special lines are the real investigators, and they give us the advanced scientific knowledge which we now enjoy.

The opportunities of the specialist are many and inviting. Every field of technical work opens up a magnificent series of unsolved problems, the solution of which will bring honor to the discoverer and benefit to the world. Technical chemistry, applied electricity, and metallurgy are yet in their infancy, but what grand achievements they have already made! Many of the greatest advances in modern civilization and the comforts of life have come through these channels. The brain and hand of the trained scientist transform the crude materials of the three kingdoms of Nature into things of beauty for the wants of men. The clay in the bank, the ore in the mine, the wood in the forest, by passing through his hands, take on the form of his thoughts and become expressions of his skill and power.

Specialization in knowledge carries innumerable advantages with it. The thoroughly educated scientist is acquainted with the ablest writers in his field, and reads and comprehends them. He appreciates their ideas and employs their knowledge and experience for his own purpose. If he decides that a process is imperfect, he knows in what direction improvement is needed. He is not misled by undetermined elements or impracticable theories, but through his knowledge of facts bases his conclusions on substantial grounds. He is prepared for any emergency and adapts himself quickly to his surroundings, for his scientific