In recent years there has been a wide demand for the more general distribution of knowledge of nature, and “nature study” has had a prominent place in the discussions of educators. I must confess to some fear for the outcome of well meant efforts to crowd such studies into the hands of unprepared teachers, though surely no one could wish more heartily for a wider extension of such work well done. It is encouraging to note steady progress in this line and we should be content not to push ahead faster than conditions will warrant. Our science is an evergrowing one, and I wish to mention briefly some of the conditions of biological research and the conditions essential to its successful prosecution. The time has passed when it is possible for the isolated individual to accomplish much of anything of value in the growth of science. Such instances as the cobbler naturalist can not well be repeated under present conditions, and biological workers must expect that some part at least of their time is spent where libraries, museums and scientific workers are to be found. I recall meeting some years ago in an obscure little village, with a young man who was following a trade, but whose ardent love for nature had brought him to take up the study of a certain group of insects, and in this group he had conceived the idea of preparing a work covering the geographical distribution for the world. With scarcely the beginning of a library, with no access to general collections, apparently with no conception of the stupendous nature of the task he was so ambitiously undertaking, there was perhaps little danger of his discovering the hopelessness of his case. He doubtless gained much pleasure and individual profit in the quest, but for the progress of science, how futile such attempts. Isolated work is often necessary, often the only way in which certain data can be secured, but if isolation be permanent, if it means to be cut off from the records of what has already been done in one’s line of study, progress is painfully slow and results of little value. Access then to the world’s storehouses of knowledge, to libraries and museums where one may determine the conditions of progress on any given problem is an imperative condition to satisfactory research. Another condition almost as imperative is time for extended and consecutive work. There are comparatively few places where, after passing the stages of preparation, one may have the opportunity to give uninterrupted time to pure research, but fortunately such opportunities are increasing.