4: NOTES BY THE EDITOE 



works of this nature have been better appreciated by naturalists than 

 by the mathematicians and physicists, as proved by that laborious 

 work which the genius of Agassiz inaugurated, and which presents in 

 four octavo volumes the titles of all known papers on Natural History 

 and Geology up to its date. Mr. Hunt considered a similar index for 

 the branches he indicated as equally necessary. In his experience as 

 an assistant in the Coast Survey, he had on several occasions to make 

 special investigations, in which it was desirable to examine all good 

 relevant authorities and original memoirs. How to do this was the 

 question. Mr. Hunt undertook, with the assistance and encourage- 

 ment of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey (Prof. Bache), to fur- 

 nish such an index as he conceived is demanded by the wants of 

 scientific investigators. This index is intended to be included in the 

 Coast Survey Eeport as an appendix. In prosecuting the labor, Mr. 

 Hunt has already examined over a thousand volumes of memoirs, 

 transactions, scientific periodicals, etc. 



On motion the Association endorsed the plan of Lieutenant Hunt, and 

 a resolution was adopted declaring the importance of such enterprises 

 in advancing the interests of science. 



The following resolution in respect to weights and measures was 

 adopted : Resolved, That the committee on weights, measures, and 

 coinage, be authorized to communicate with other associations or 

 public bodies, or with individuals, in regard to the attainment of per- 

 manent uniformity in weights, measures, and coinage. 



The subject of a new constitution for the Association came up by 

 assignment at this meeting, and was discussed with much difference 

 of sentiment. The consideration of the whole matter was finally post- 

 poned until the next meeting. Members, in the mean time were all 

 invited to supply themselves with the draft of a new constitution, 

 which was proposed at Providence by a committee appointed by the 

 Association, and which may be obtained by application to the record- 

 ing secretary, Prof. Lovering, at Cambridge, Mass. This new draft 

 of a constitution, although not accepted by the Association, will prob- 

 ably form the basis of action upon this subject at the Albany 



meeting. 



In this debate upon the constitutional revision, many of the mem- 

 bers favored the abolition of all constitutions, and preferred that the 

 Association should resolve itself into a simple annual convention of 

 scientific men. The objections to the present constitution, and to the 

 substitute proposed, seem to center in a dislike to the construction 

 and power of the Standing Committee. The method in which this 

 body has been organized, its arbitrary exercise of authority, its disre- 

 gard of the constitutional requirement that the presiding officers shall 

 be elected by ballot, have been sources of dissatisfaction from the 



