ASSOCIATION FOR ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. 469 



divisions of science that were tlien recognized, and half as many 

 more. Physics and chemistry could then be classed in one section 

 without offense, and zoology and botany were assigned without 

 protest to a single heading. Now, not only does every science de- 

 mand recognition by and of itself, but all are represented by sepa- 

 rate societies as well — as the Mathematical Society, the Chemical 

 Society, the Geological Society, etc. These societies hold meet- 

 ings, publish bulletins, reports, and sometimes monthly journals, 

 and, in short, aim to cover the entire field for the branches which 

 they represent. They are generally affiliated with the association, 

 and it is becoming usual for them to hold joint summer meetings 

 of society and section. Their annual meetings are held in the 

 winter, and, as their membership is more select than that of the 

 association, standing as it does in all cases for published or recog- 

 nized work already in evidence, these winter meetings are coming 

 to be preferred for the presentation of technical papers. Those 

 who read them feel sure of " fit audience, though few." 



These societies are all vigorous and successful. They obviously 

 meet a " felt want " on the part of American science, but just what 

 their effect will be upon the association remains to be determined. 

 Certainly, with these centrifugal tendencies in growing activity, 

 this is not the time for the attraction of our one centripetal force to 

 be relaxed. More than ever do we need such a unifying agency as 

 the association was designed to supply. 



Some modus vivendi between section and society will doubtless 

 be found. Perhaps the more abstract and technical papers will be 

 reserved for the winter meetings, while those dealing with the 

 larger phases, and especially those pertaining to the philosophy of 

 the subjects discussed, will find their places in the joint meetings 

 of the summer. 



It would be well if the association meetings of whatever char- 

 acter could be made memorable by the announcement of important 

 discoveries made during the preceding year. The custom of hold- 

 ing back such announcements is said to obtain in the transatlantic 

 national associations, and notably in the British Association, which 

 is the mother of all the rest. Those who were present at the Bos- 

 ton meeting of the American Association will remember the enthu- 

 siasm created there by the announcement of the discovery of a new 

 element — etherion. If later discussions have thrown doubt upon 

 the discovery of a new element, the alternative explanation sug- 

 gested of the facts proves scarcely less interesting or important than 

 the original claim. 



"Whether our eager American workers would be willing to haz- 

 ard their claims to priority by holding back the announcements of 



