5893. NOTES AND COMMENTS. 403 



and to let boys acquire a touch-and-handle familiarity with specimens; 

 the former to show the real beauty of antiquities, and to stimulate a 

 desire to visit the famous collections." 



"The science collections would probably be a development in 

 more adequate quarters of the present collection of the Natural History 

 Society, which is good though not large. Special stress would doubt- 

 less be laid on the collection of local minerals [fossils are doubtless 

 meant] , fauna, and flora. An attempt might also be made (as has 

 been done at Harrow) to imitate the admirably instructive series of 

 type forms exhibited in the Museum of Natural History at South 

 Kensington ; and it would be highly desirable to connect some moderate 

 provision for elementary biological and botanical work with the 

 natural history museum." 



" It would be premature at present to venture on more than the 

 most general sketch, but many other developments might be suggested 

 which should be the work of subsequent years, for it must always be 

 borne in mind that for the purposes of a school museum the process 

 of growth is more valuable than any completed collection, and that 

 the undertaking will be a failure unless it commands the sustained 

 interest and support of masters and boys alike." 



All who sympathise with the extension of scientific education will 

 rejoice that Winchester is no longer to be behind our other great 

 Public Schools in this respect ; and if we number any Wykehamists 

 among our readers, we have no doubt that they will hasten to send in 

 their subscriptions to Mr. Percy Toynbee, 109 Gloucester Terrace, 

 Hyde Park. As for the presentation of specimens, we will lead the 

 way with a little bit of advice to the Committee : — Be as ready to 

 refuse as to accept ! 



The American Association for the Advancement of Science. 



We take the following comment from the last number of the 

 American Naturalist, and commend it to the notice of those interested 

 in the welfare of the British and kindred Associations : — " The question 

 is often asked. Why do the American zoologists so universally neglect 

 the American Association for the Advancement of Science ? For 

 many years scarcely an American publishing zoologist has been 

 present at the meeting, while the few papers on zoological subjects are 

 in striking contrast to the interest shown in the sister science of botany. 

 The reasons for this state of affairs are not readily stated. Possibly 

 most potent of all is the feeling that the x\ssociation is far from being 

 a representative of American science, and that it has degenerated into 

 an annual junketing party. It is certain that the interests of science 

 have been often sacrificed to excursions which interrupt the sessions, 

 and which should be postponed to their close. Then, too, criticisms 

 are often heard that it is run as a close corporation, that nominating 

 boards are packed in order that certain persons may be put in office, 



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