THE GENEALOGY OF SHIPS. 



A FEW years ago, on the breaking up of a meeting 

 "** of the American Association for the Advancement 

 of Science, we found ourselves, by the courtesy of the 

 Chicago and Northwestern Railroad,* in possession of free 

 passes to Omaha. Such a send-off for a body of low- 

 salaried scientists was truly a god-send; and all who were 

 truly wise used their passes. I well remember the eager- 

 ness with which my friend, Professor 0. C. Marsh, packed 



* The government of this road has habitually manifested a generous appre- 

 ciation of the needs, not to say the claims, of scientific enterprise. On this 

 occasion (1868) members of the Association had their choice of three extensive 

 trips, to Rock Island, to Omaha, and to Lake Superior. Natural History in all 

 its branches must be prosecuted by observation. This requires, many times, 

 extensive journeys on the part of the naturalist. There is a double reason why he 

 should not be taxed to the serious extent of bearing all the expenses of such sur- 

 veys. 1. He is not in pursuit of a selfish end ; he makes no material gains ; all the 

 results go into possession of the world; he expends his own time and employs 

 the results of years of preparation without the least material compensation. 

 2. He is generally a low- salaried man; our colleges and universities pay less 

 than business-houses to a good book-keeper or head-clerk; he is engaged in no 

 profitable business; he can take advantage of no speculations; all his energies 

 are withdrawn from money-making; his country taxes him on the books he im- 

 ports for the extension of his knowledge; his generally scant resources must 

 fatally restrict the field of his observations, and cause the world to feel the con- 

 sequent loss, unless the intelligent appreciation of railroad superintendents shall 

 prompt them to grant traveling favors, which cost their roads comparatively lit- 

 tle. Since I have mentioned one generous corporation. I ought to say that most 

 of our roads have granted important reductions in fare to members attending 

 scientific meetings; and, in many instances, extensive excursions have been 

 freely offered, which have proved of incalculable benefit to the interests of 

 science. Some of the most noteworthy excursions offered the American Asso- 

 ciation have been from the meetings at Chicago. Indianapolis, St. Louis and 

 Nashville. The authorities would be gratified. I am sure, to know what imme- 

 diate and what indirect results have proceeded from these opportunities. 



301 



