Editorial. 235 



of Cohn and Sachs, from which it appears that a system that is 

 purely natural, regarding special phenomena, may lead us 

 astray. 



The article of Dr. Winter deserves careful attention from 

 .students of cryptogamic botany. 



MICROMETRY. 



A large gathering of microscopists is expected at Buffalo 

 this coming summer, when the American Society of Microscop- 

 ists assembles. It is to be hoped that some action will be 

 taken to give this organization a peimanent existence, for, if 

 properly conducted, its meetings will be of no little value for 

 discussing questions of national importance. 



The Society will probably meet on Tuesday morning, August 

 19th, and continue four days, thus leaving ample time for 

 members to attend the meeting of the A. A. A. S., at Saratoga, 

 on the 27th instant. 



At the Buffalo meeting the subject of adopting a standard 

 micrometric division is to be discussed. 



Owing to the timely and well-directed efforts of the Troy 

 Scientific Association, the subject has been brought before the 

 country in a manner that has secured the cooperation and sup- 

 port of almost every microscopical society in the country. 

 Only two societies, we believe, have failed to respond favor- 

 ably to the circular from Troy. The New York Microscopical 

 Society is one of these, but we believe that this arose from a 

 misconception of the meaning and intent of the circular, on 

 the part of the committee to which the matter was referred. 



It is to be regretted that the tone of some of the articles 

 already published has been such as to induce Prof. Rogers to 

 withdraw his liberal offer, made through the writer at the 

 Indianapolis meeting, already noticed on page 48. He is still 

 willing, we are informed, to give all the aid in his power to 

 any suitable body having the matter in charge. We hope to 

 see this subject treated at Buffalo as it deserves, and in fur- 

 therance of this desire, invite attention to a few remarks re- 

 garding a micrometric unit. 



It appears to us of comparatively little importance, and in 

 this respect we do not take the same view of the matter as our 



