TEE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION. 305 



THE AMEEICAN ASSOCIATION" FOE THE ADVANCEMENT 



OF SCIENCE.* 



A NATIONAL association for the advancement of science occupies 

 -^-^ at the beginning of the twentieth century a dominant position. 

 The greatest achievement of the nineteenth century v^as the progress 

 of science; its most definite tendency was towards the voluntary 

 organization of individuals for the accomplishment of certain ends. 

 The advance of science, the movement that is of the greatest impor- 

 tance for civilization, requires for its guidance the strongest association 

 of individuals. Such an association will certainly arise, and will 

 develop from existing institutions. 



The organization of science in America has progressed parallel to 

 the advance of science. Local societies concerned with the whole field 

 of knowledge, and especially with its utilitarian aspects, were first 

 established in Philadelphia, in Boston and in other cities. These 

 societies were modeled on the similar institutions of Europe ; the Philo- 

 sophical Society of Philadelphia following the Eoyal Society of London, 

 and the Academy of Arts and Sciences of Boston, the Paris Academy 

 of Sciences. As centers of scientific activity increased in number, as 

 the postoffice and railways developed, as general scientific journals 

 were established — 'The American Journal of Science' began publication 

 in 1818 — the need of a national organization was felt, and here again 

 the older nations had established the precedent. The meetings of Ger- 

 man scientific men and physicians began in 1828, and the British Asso- 

 ciation for the Advancement of Science was established in 1831. An 

 Association of American Geologists and Naturalists was organized in 

 1840, and became the American Association for the Advancement of 

 Science in 1848. 



Fifty years ago the sciences were comparatively undifferentiated. 

 Special societies and special journals were not required. It was pos- 



* We reproduce this article from advance sheets of 'Science,' as all our 

 readers will be glad to have brought to their attention the question of the 

 organization of science in America. The American Association for the Ad- 

 vancement of Science meets this year in Denver, further to the west than ever 

 before, and its influence and membership should be greatly increased in the 

 states west of the Mississippi River. Nothing is more gratifying to the con- 

 ductors of this Journal than its large circulation in the middle and western 

 states, and we hope that many of those who read this article will become mem- 

 bers of the American Association. The conditions of membership can be 

 obtained from the permanent secretary. Dr. L. O. Howard, Cosmos Club, 

 Washington, D. C. — Editor. 



