1913] Editoriais 141 



3. Woiild the librarles continue to subscribe at old rates for the 

 Journals, or would they depend upon getting them through members 

 of the Society and at the society rate? 



4. Would it not be better, if practicable, to keep the dues lower 

 and to include part of the Journals suggested. Few biologists would 

 be vitally interested in more than about half the Journals. 



This raising of objections on my part does not mean Opposition 

 to the scheme but a desire to see it worked out successfully. I am 

 ready to apply for membership at once. 



Carl Alois Schwarze, N. J. Agric. Expt. Station, New Bruns- 

 wick. If the various biological and chemical societies could, through 

 unification, organize a biological society along the lines of the Amer. 

 Chem. Soc'y, I believe we could bring order out of chaos. I think 

 many biologists would gladly avail themselves of the opportunity to 

 procure a number of scientific publications at club-rates. 



E. E. Smith, 50 E. 4ist St., New York City. The value of 

 Mathews' plan for an Amer. Biolog. Soc'y is determined by what 

 American biologists want. If they want exclusive organizations in 

 which membership is recognition of achievement, then the present 

 organizations meet the requirements. If they want a large Organi- 

 zation in which membership is merely recognition of interest and 

 ambition, and whose value is in its strength, then Mathews' plan is 

 an admirable one. That in the main it is practical, it seems to me is 

 demonstrated by similar movements, notably by the history of the 

 Amer. Chem. Soc'y. The argument that it will fail because of the 

 increased expense to the members was put f orward by those opposed 

 to the present Organization of this latter society; but the argument 

 was not supported by subsequent developments. The whole matter 

 is to be decided by whether exclusive membership or strength in 

 numbers is desired. Each has its advantage. Probably the limited 

 membership is more especially advantageous to the individuals ; and 

 strength in Organization, to the science as a whole, since it promotes 

 dissemination. Possibly in time this latter would also react to the 

 advantage of the individuals. 



Edwin D. Watkins, Univ. of Memphis. The Mathews plan is 

 a splendid one, and would work toward the same end as the Amer. 

 Chem. Soc'y. 



