Science and Progress in the South 



By C. H. Gordon, University of Tennessee. 



Introduction. 



On first coming- to Tennessee some years ago I took occasion 

 to investig-ate the status of organized science in the State. Investi- 

 gation showed the following results : No Geological Survey, nor 

 had the State given support to one for forty years. Up to that 

 time the sum total of appropriations for geological survey work 

 probably totalled not to exceed the amount now appropriated 

 biennially. No Academy of Science or other organization having 

 like aims. In the State University there were two departmental 

 organizations, but no general scientific society, and if any such or- 

 ganization existed elsewhere in the State it did not come to my 

 notice. Five years have passed and the progress made is cause 

 for congratulation. A Geological Survey has been in operation 

 for two years with results comparable with the best surveys of 

 the country. We are now celebrating the second meeting of the 

 State Academy of Science, and by the vitalizing- influence inspired 

 by these efforts, the Joseph LeConte Society which expired many 

 years ago has been recently revived at the State University ; and 

 no doubt investigation would reveal corresponding advances in 

 other centers. I am convinced, therefore, that we stand in the 

 dawn of a great scientific advance in Tennessee and the South, a 

 progress in which I trust this society is to have a conspicuous 

 part. 



Progress of Science in Recent Years. 



Until recent years no review of the progress of science was con- 

 sidered adequate which failed to give, as the crowning achieve- 

 ment, the triumph of steam and its application to navigation, rail- 

 roading, etc. ; the triumph of electricity as represented in the tele- 

 graph ; the use of waterpower, etc. So familiar are these now in 



