1880.] 



MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 



157 



these, which bring together persons 

 who are engaged in scientific work 

 in diiferent sections of this great 

 country, for the interchange of opi- 

 nions, comparing of observations, 

 and the reading of papers embra- 

 cing the latest discoveries in their 

 respective branches of study, can 

 hardly be overestimated. 



The meetings are sure to be in- 

 teresting so long as able men of 

 science will give them their sup- 

 port, and their social character makes 

 them enjoyable and long remem- 

 bered by those who attend. 



We remember with great satis- 

 faction the pleasure we enjoyed at 

 the Indianapolis " Congress " two 

 years ago, where we made the ac- 

 quaintance of a number of the most 

 prominent microscopists in the coun- 

 try, with whose names we were al- 

 ready quite familiar. In no other 

 way could we expect to meet so 

 many persons of allied tastes, under 

 circumstances so auspicious for mu- 

 tual enjoyment. It is with sincere 

 regret that we find it impossible to 

 attend the meeting at Detroit. 



There are other considerations, 

 not so much of a personal nature, 

 which should not be lost sight of 

 by those who are able to join the 

 associations, even though they can- 

 not attend the meetings. It should 

 be observed that the intrinsic value 

 of a scientific paper cannot be made 

 fully apparent by a reading before 

 any assemblage. It is necessary 

 that the paper should be published, 

 and circulated among those who 

 are interested in the subject of 

 which it treats. Unfortunately, it 

 is seldom that original investigators 

 are able to bear the expense attend- 

 ing the publication of the results 

 of their work, and many very va- 

 luable papers are lost sight of be- 

 cause the cost of the illustrations 

 that are necessary to render the 

 text intelligible is so great, that few 



of our periodicals are able to pub- 

 lish them. 



The great inducement, therefore, 

 which our large associations offer to 

 original investigators to present 

 their papers, is that they can be 

 published and widely spread among 

 scientists, at home and in foreign 

 countries. For this reason, if for 

 no other, such associations deserve 

 the hearty support of all who are 

 interested in science. 



The meeting at Detroit promises 

 to be a very interesting one, and 

 we hope it will be w^ell attended. 

 Professor H. L. Smith is the Presi- 

 dent, and we think all who attend 

 may feel assured that the meeting 

 will be well conducted by such an 

 able and well-known scientist. 



From Mr. Fell we learn that pa- 

 pers will be presented by Professor 

 Kellicott, Mr. H. L. Atwood, Mr. 

 E. H. Griflith and Mr. Fell him- 

 self ; and he expresses the convic- 

 tion that there will be more work 

 on hand than can be done, " as 

 the outlook is more favorable than 

 at any previous meeting." 



The local circular announces a 

 " public soiree " on some evening 

 during the session, and all who at- 

 tend the meeting are desired to take 

 their instruments with them. In 

 addition to this there will be a re- 

 ception at the residence of one of 

 the leading citizens of Detroit, 

 either on the first or the second 

 evening of the meeting. 



From Rev. A. B. Hervey and 

 Professor Lattimore we learn that 

 the sub-section of Microscopy of 

 the A.A.A.S. promises to bring to- 

 gether a large number of the best 

 microscopists in the country, many 

 of whom have promised to present 

 papers, and some of these will be 

 fully illustrated. There is also rea- 

 son to expect a fine display of mi- 

 croscopes and accessories. Mr. Her- 

 vey writes : "Every possible opportu- 



