INTRODUCTORY. 



The scope of this manual may be defined by indicating the geographical 

 region covered, the classes of societies and institutions included or excluded, 

 and the information presented regarding each organization described. 



The present volume relates to North and South America and the adja- 

 cent islands, including, however, also the American schools at Athens and 

 Rome, and in Palestine, which are associated with the Archaeological Insti- 

 tute of America. Similar material for the rest of the world has been collected 

 but is not yet edited for publication. 



With the exceptions noted below, it has been our aim to include all 

 active publishing societies, together with universities, colleges, museums and 

 laboratories issuing contributions to knowledge, and institutions devoted to 

 research. In the case of national scientific societies, however, the test of pub- 

 lication has not been applied, and many local historical societies in North 

 America which do not publish have been briefly noted under the various states 

 and provinces. The plan of the investigation, as approved by the Trustees of 

 the Carnegie Institution, provided for the omission of societies and institutions 

 devoted to medicine 3 and agriculture 15 ; and as the work progressed it was 

 found necessary to exclude also patriotic societies, local bar associations and 

 teachers' organizations' 1 , and leagues for civic improvement or charitable 

 purposes. Astronomical and meteorological observatories 6 have been in- 

 cluded only when forming departments of universities, colleges, etc. 



The following outline, accompanied by a circular letter requesting the 

 necessary data, was sent to all organizations known to us within the scope 

 of the Handbook and will serve as a description of the information here 

 published : 



1. NAME. Full official name of the society or institution at the present time. 



2. ADDRESS. Permanent postal address, with name of permanent official (if any) to 



whom communications should be sent. 



3. HISTORY. Brief notes, including dates of foundation and incorporation, changes of 



name or organization (e. g., fusion with other societies), and any other important 

 events, together with bibliographical references to any published sources of fuller 

 information. 



a For the publications of medical societies reference may be made to the Index- 

 catalogue of the Library of the Surgeon general's office, U. S. Army, [ist series] v. 10 

 and 2d series, v. 12 Periodicals (medical and scientific). 



b See U. S. Dept. of agriculture. Library. Catalogue of the periodical and other 

 serial publications and Supplement no. I (1901-1905). Washington, 1901-07. 8. U. S. 

 Office of experiment stations. Bulletin 180. Washington, 1907. 8. (Contains List of 

 publications of agricultural experiment stations in the United States to June 30, 1906.) 



c See American Bar Association. Report of annual meeting. 



A See National educational association, soth anniversary volume, 1857-1906. His- 

 torical chapter, p. 453-506. 



epor further information sec Observatoire royal de Belgique. Les observatoires 

 astronomiques et les astronomes. Bruxelles, 1907. 8. 



