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The Humanizing of Knowledge Series STARLIGHT HARLOW SHAPLEY THE HUMANIZING OF KNOWLEDGE SERIES THIS series has been the outgrowth of a plan which has been maturing for several years. In the first edition of The Humanizing of Knowledge, Dr. Robinson outlined such a scheme aiid with his advice and help it has been developed. These essays will first be issued as separate hand books but later may from time to time be gathered to gether in a single volume to constitute a periodic survey of the most important phases of current discovery. The editors plan to present to the average man, for his delight as well as his information, great but little understood truths, the fruit of scholarly research. They will spare no pains to secure the best minds in America and Eu rope for carrying out their purpose, which is primarily to give in vital form for constant use the discoveries and conclusions of men great in their respective fields, which might other wise be veiled in scientific language for years in IV THE HUMANIZING OF KNOWLEDGE SERIES This will be no ordinary series of books, but one into which not only scholarship goes, but also the firm intention to create vivid, readable, entertaining essays on subjects of which no human being has a right to be ignorant. Details as to future additions to the series and a proposed collected volume will be an nounced, but anyone especially interested and desiring to be kept informed as to the progress of the series may address inquiries to George II. Doran Company, 244 Madison Avenue, New York City. The Editors. EDITORS JAMES HARVEY ROBINSON Author of The Mind in the Making, History of Western Europe, etc. and DANIEL TREMBLY McDOUGAL, Pn. D., LL. D. Director, Laboratory for Plant Physiology Carnegie Institute of Washington Managing Editor, JOHN FARRAR M inds of the requisite temper, train ing and literary tact must be hunted out, encouraged, and brought together in an effective, if informal, conspiracy to promote the diffusion of the best knowledge we have of man and his world The Humanising of Knowledge Series THE HUMANIZING OF KNOWLEDGE New and revised edition By JAMES HARVKY ROBINSON Author of The Mind in the Making DR. ROBINSONS educational theories have caused wide discussion and brought universal commendation. His earn est desire to enhance the prospects of learning has been the starting point of this series of volumes. As an introduc tion to this enterprise, Dr. Robinson has rewritten and rearranged his admirable volume in which he discusses the attitude of the scientific thinker toward the public, and the publics reception of scientific facts and speculations. STARLIGHT By HARLOW SHAPLEY, Pn. D. Diiector, Harvard Observatory RECENT discoveries have opened to the world new anfl vast regions in the mysterious universe of stars. They arc here explained in clear and flowing prose. Written simply, in non-scientific language, this volume opens up to the layman a field of fascinating knowledge. THE GREEN LEAF By DANIEL TREMBLY MACDOTJCAL, PH. D., LL. D. DR. MAcDOUGALS wide researches give him the right to present this fascinating subject of plant life with all its implications in relation to life in general. It is a startling and illuminating survey. THE ATOM By CHARLES A. BAZZOIVI University of Pennsylvania MANY scientific discoveries of the next few years will depend on the fascinating development of the atomic theory. Dr. Baxzoniexplains in dialogue form the principles which form the being of the construction and action r, an physical matter. Other Volumes in Preparation PREFATORY NOTE In this essay aji attempt is made to present the modern scientific vip-w of the place of man ari mans earth in the expanse of time and space revealed by discoveries of modern astronomy...