ABSTRACT
A tempting opportunity presented itself for turning the scientific discussion of Father Wasmann's lectures into a hostile demonstration against them, in the name of free scientific research, or, in other words, into a modern religious argument. It is worthy of notice that the chief proof alleged of Wasmann's defeat is the fact that the eleven speakers were all opposed to him, not one took his side, and of the general public no one came forward to support him. There is no doubt that the audience would have dispersed soon after Professor Plate's address, if the majority of the vast number present had not been anxious to hear Father Wasmann's reply to his antagonists, and had not regarded it as a duty to express, at the close of the proceedings, their gratitude to the learned Father for all his exertions and explanations, by means of hearty applause.
