834 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



public, but would bring honor and respect to the association. We 

 are not saying that this has never been done, but that it might be 

 done more and better; and that a definite policy of so doing would be 

 an element of strength to the body and of benefit to the people at 

 large. 



Another line of desirable influence would be in relation to local 

 societies. The association from the outset sought and accomplished 

 the great advantage of bringing together scattered and isolated 

 workers in science throughout the land. This social and personal 

 intercourse lias been and still is one of the strongest and best elements 

 in the annual gatherings. But the local societies throughout the 

 country arc still in much the same isolation as the individual workers 

 were fifty years ago; and some system of communication and co- 

 operation among them would be a strength and a stimulus to all. 

 Why might not the association bring about some method of inter- 

 course or federation among these bodies, that would prove of great 

 interest and value? The several scientific societies of Washington 

 and of ISTew York city (Manhattan) have for some years united in a 

 " Scientific Alliance," or federation, and thereby, while preserving 

 their separate identity, gained the strength that lies in union. 

 Brooklyn has gone further, and merged into its one great " Institute " 

 a number of distinct societies, as departments. These are merely 

 cited as illustrations. But if the association should again have a 

 committee representing its various sections, to consider some plan for 

 co-operation and intercourse among the societies that now know so 

 little of each other's work, the result might have great influence both 

 on them and on itself. A local society in a small place often does 

 excellent work; but it is wholly unknown beyond its own limited 

 sphere. If it were provided, also, in the association that societies as 

 well as individuals could become members, to be represented by one 

 or more of their own members, as delegates, such representatives 

 would come to the meeting, enjoy the interest and receive the 

 stimulus of the occasion, and carry back to their own little circle re- 

 ports of what they had seen and heard. These suggestions might be 

 greatly amplified were there space to do so, but they can only be out- 

 lined here, as indicating ways in which the association might quicken 

 the interest and unify the labors of the scattered scientific bodies 

 of the country, and in turn receive support and advantage from 

 them. 



Various other lines of thought present themselves, which it is 

 impossible here to discuss, bearing upon the prospects and possibili- 

 ties of this great scientific body, upon its duties and functions toward 

 the public and the corresponding duties which the public, and espe- 

 cially the scientific public, owe to it. Its history has been fruitful 



