PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS 107 



ested in the same subjects are the natural group. We neednot 

 increase the number of our sections ; but should allow subsec- 

 tions for each of the sciences, letting those who are immediately 

 concerned meet as they find it most advantageous. These 

 groups should maintain their own autonomy, and we should 

 not require the members to join the academy, least of all so 

 long as our present dues are maintaiVied. The academy should 

 provide convenient places for meeting, arrange for joint meet- 

 ings of several groups, provide general lectures of interest to 

 more than one group, support a club-house, give receptions and 

 exhibitions and the like. 



In regard to publications I am somewhat heterodox. Pro- 

 ceedings and transactions w^ere an important function of the 

 academy of the eighteenth century, but there is no longer any 

 excuse for printing researches on utterly diverse subjects in one 

 volume, because the authors happen to be members of the same 

 academy. We might as well make up volumes according to 

 the cranial index of the contributors. The national society for 

 each science should directly or indirectly have charge of the 

 publications in that science. We need in every science : (i) A 

 series of monographs, each of which should be published as a 

 unit, (2) a " Centralblatt " containing abstracts of the literature 

 with a complete bibliography, and (3) a journal for shorter 

 articles, general discussions, critical reviews, etc. The abstracts 

 and bibliography should be an international undertaking, each 

 countr\' contributing its share. What is now printed in the 

 annals, transactions and proceedings of our academies, should 

 be contributed to the series or journals. In the series of psy- 

 chological monographs, which I am glad to say exists, should, 

 for example, be printed any monographs that are prepared by 

 our members, and if the academy has funds for publication, it 

 should share the expense. These monographs can be parts of 

 our proceedings and can be given to those members who are 

 interested. Their existence will be known to every specialist 

 throughout the world. They will be purchased by individuals 

 and libraries, and will ultimately become self-supporting. It is 

 to be hoped that the academies of the country will unite in a 



