studying the subject through statistics, Spencer noting the divergence of 

 the human institutions from the basis of animal instinct, Bagehot discuss- 

 ing the physics of political movements. 



From these contributions to the science of Man very many useful modi- 

 fications have already come into our social organization. The treatment 

 of the Insane has radically changed; Criminal Jurisprudence has been 

 modified ; Medicine has been incalculably enriched by the germ theory of 

 disease; the science of Education is undergoing transformation from the 

 effect of the same causes. 



In Molecular Physics great progress has been made since the law of 

 transmutation from motion in masses into molecular motion has been de- 

 veloped and applied. But it deserves mention that a recent writer in the 

 Popular Science Monthly, Judge Stallo of Cincinnati has criticized with 

 trenchant acumen the several subsidiary hypotheses which have been in- 

 troduced by scientific men for the purpose of explaining or rendering intel- 

 ligible the abstract mathematical results of scientific research. The old 

 scholastic caution " not to multiply hypothetical existences without the 

 most obvious necessity for them" is sound and well-founded. The hypo- 

 theses of atoms, and of an extremely attenuated ether for the transmission 

 of the waves of light, when made use of for any other purpose than that of 

 a convenient scaffolding for the purpose of clear exposition, becomes dan- 

 gerous and subversive of the true spirit of Science. It is, therefore, a true 

 service to the cause of Physics to criticize its hypotheses in the manner that 

 Judge Stallo has done. Perhaps no greater service has been rendered dur- 

 ing the past year to the department of Molecular Physics than the presen- 

 tation of his strictures on its Methods. 



Turning to the more personal aspect of the progress of scientific dis- 

 covery, the voyage of the lamented Capt. Hall, in the ship Polaris, deserves 

 more than passing mention. A portion of the crew having drifted 1,500 

 miles, after incredible hardships were rescued off the shores of Newfound- 

 land by a British steamer. The results of the expedition, when published, 

 will form a valuable addition to science. By reason of the rapid changes 

 in the state of our knowledge regarding aerial currents and ocean currents, 

 the need of careful observation in the polar regions becomes every year 

 more pressing. In this connection, it may be mentioned that, of late, there 

 has been made a series of deep sea soundings, carefully conducted, which 

 has changed the views formerly held as to the possibility of animal and 

 vegetable life at great depths in the ocean. 



I am happy to note the fact that the improved facilities for rapid transit 

 in latter years has brought about frequent personal intercourse between 

 the scientific men of different countries. Personal contact serves to stimu- 

 late individual endeavor and to encourage self-sacrifice in the pursuit of 

 Science. The late visit of the distinguished physicist, Tyndall, to our 

 shores, is an event of this class, and will long be remembered. 



In closing this rapid survey of the scientific situation of to-day, it is 

 fitting that we turn aside to pay our tribute of respect to the memory of 



