198 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



Prof. Ebbinghaus presented an interesting new method of testing 

 the mental capacities of school children, which I have already 

 outlined in the Nation for September 10th. 



President Hall, of Clark University, was to speak in one of the 

 general meetings, but did not attend. Prof. Preyer, who is known 

 for his excellent books on the child's mind, presented a general . 

 treatment of " The Psychology of the Child." 



In the sections much exact work was done. It would be im- 

 possible, in the space I have, even to cite the different papers ; so I 

 shall have to leave the reader to consult them in the Proceedings. 

 There were, besides the regular programme, several things of the 

 nature of ''side shows" which deserve comment. In the first 

 place, there was an exhibition of apparatus, containing many in- 

 teresting and some new things, under the charge of Dr. Marbe. 

 Then the members of the congress were treated to a demonstration 

 of the Rontgen ray effect which has possibly not yet been sur- 

 passed anywhere. Led into a dark room, the observer was sta- 

 tioned .before a prepared screen about two feet square or more, 

 and behind the screen a boy was gradually passed at the same 

 time that the Rontgen rays made the screen fluorescent. The 

 shadow outlines of the internal organs of the boy were clear 

 lungs, heart, etc. and the movements of these organs in regular 

 rhythm were plainly seen. This exhibition excited great enthu- 

 siasm among the members of the congress. Another rather sen- 

 sational " side show " was the exhibition made of an Indian yogi, 

 who went off into his sleep in a private room for the edification 

 of some of the psychologists. 



The next psychological congress is to meet in Paris in 1900, in 

 connection with the French Universal Exposition. Prof. Ribot, 

 who is considered the ofiicial representative of psychology in 

 France, is again made president, and M. Ch. Richet vice-presi- 

 dent. M. Pierre Janet will be secretary. The international com- 

 mittee for the next meeting has four American representatives 

 Profs. James, Hall, Titchener, and the present writer. There 

 seems to be a general feeling that America should have the con- 

 gress soon ; indeed, the going to Paris for a second session is a 

 matter of special consideration in view of the coming exposition. 



The other congress of which I have promised to write briefly 

 is that of " Criminal Anthropology " : the fourth, which met in 

 Geneva in the last week of August. This congress has had about 

 the same lease of life as that for psychology, the earlier sessions 

 having been held in Paris, Rome, and Brussels. It aims to be 

 official, and invitations to take part are sent to the different 

 Governments. This year quite a remarkable array of govern- 

 mental appointees were in attendance. It seems that this policy 

 is somewhat doubtful, from the point of view of science, since 



