Page:Preparation of the Child for Science.djvu/15

Rh as well as of some not known on this planet. He came to conclusions on vegetable morphology in some respects similar to those arrived at quite independently by James Hinton and expressed in his 'Life in Nature.'

Many years ago I enjoyed the privilege of reading Mr. Betts's MS., and had a long correspondence with him. His system of coordinates cannot be much used except by those whose hands have been trained in the work of the mechanical draughtsman. It has however been very helpful in suggesting simpler methods. The following quotation from a letter of Mr. Betts will give some idea of the nature of his philosophy. 'Suppose yourself placed at an almost infinite distance on the planetary axis of our solar system, and, focussing (in imagination) aeons of time into a few seconds, and millions of miles into the optical angle, view the condition of our solar system in its passage in the direction of Hercules. What would be visible? . . . The laws of infinite solar systems throughout the universe are telegraphed to us by the flowers at our feet. . . . These laws of the corollaform we have educed as Laws of Thought, of self-consciousness as revealed in the act of thinking. . . . Some one is thinking there, thinking in potential activity, as you and I are thinking this moment.'