( ^ ) 



or that in some other points his conclusions are not fullj 

 sustained hy the premises. Unfortunately, it frequently 

 happens that persons of a sensitive disposition are apt to 

 consider criticism of the kind we have mentioned as per- 

 sonal attacks, and that it is as offensive to doubt the accu- 

 racy of their experiments or conclusions as it is to doubt 

 their word. It should, however, be recollected that the 

 most gifted are liable to err, and that these criticisms are 

 j)rior to publication, and, therefore, of value to the perma- 

 nent reputation of both the individual and the society. 



Another important matter in regard to such a society is 

 the publication of its proceedings. If its object were merelv 

 the intellectual and moral improvement of its members, it 

 might dispense entirely with any publication whatever — 

 even with the announcement of its existence. If, however, 

 it aspires to the more important office of advancing science, 

 or of enlarging the bounds of thought and assisting to dif- 

 fuse a knowledge of new truths, it should then publish, 

 if not quarto volumes of transactions, at least a bulletin 

 of its proceedings. This publication should present an 

 exposition of the organization of the society, its constitu- 

 tion and by-laws, give a list of the members, a synopsis of 

 the contents of all communications submitted for consider- 

 ation, and an account of important facts which may be 

 elicited during discussions or recalled to memory at the 

 moment by association of ideas. 



Such a bulletin will enable the members of the so- 

 ciety to publish without delay, through a proper channel, 

 a synopsis of their investigations, and, also, minor facts 

 and inferences not considered, in themselves, of sufficient 

 importance to form a communication to a scientific journal 

 or to occupy a place in philosophical transactions. Such 



