546 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. L. No. 1302 



momentarily at tem.peratTires above its m.elt- 

 ing point. Sueh an interpretation is untrue 

 since this phenomenon has been observed by 

 several investigators' with materials such as 

 the minerals quartz and albite, which, while 

 in the process of melting, may exist for some 

 hours at temperatures above their true melt- 

 ing points. Correctly interpreted, Findlay's 

 distinction holds good for cases of true meta- 

 stable equilibrium, in which no change of 

 phase is in progress, and which are the cases 

 he evidently had in mind. 



J. B. Ferguson 

 Geophysical Laboeatort, 

 Caknegie Institution of Washington, 

 September, 1919 



ORGANIZATION OF THE AMERICAN 

 METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY 



[Objects: The advancement and diffusion of the 

 knowledge of meteorology and climatology; and 

 the broadening of their applications in public 

 health, agriculture, engineering, aeronautics, indus- 

 try and commerce.] 



Since the publication of the original an- 

 nouncement in Science, August 22, 1919, pp. 

 180-181, several thousand circulars have been 

 distributed among prospective members. Up 

 to December 1, 470 had indicated their desire 

 to join the society when organized. Roughly, 

 the percentage make-up of these is as follows: 



1. Weather Bureau 37 



2. Cooperative observers of the Weather Bu- 



reau 6 



3. Army, Navy and other government people 



professionally interested in meteorology. 8 



4. Business men, farmers, engineers and 



others professionally interested in meteor- 

 ology 8 



5. Teachers and students 16 



6. Canada 2 



7. Latin America 3 



8. Amateur meteorologists (not classed above) 



includes those formerly engaged in 



meteorological work 20 



Total 100 



A. L. Day and E. T. Allen, ' ' The Isomorphism 

 and Thermal Properties of the Feldspars," Publi- 

 cation No. 31 (1905) Carnegie Institution of 

 Washington. J. B. Ferguson and H. E. Merwin, 

 Am. J. Sci., 46, 417 (1918). 



Of the whole number 40 per cent, are pro- 

 fessional meteorologists. Many have urged 

 strongly that the practical applications of 

 meteorology be emphasized and that special 

 efforts be made to interest engineers, business 

 men, shippers, farmers, fruit growers, aviators 

 and others whose work is closely dependent on 

 the weather. Those who study merely for its 

 scientific interest will have much to gain from 

 association with those who apply meteorology 

 in the conduct of their business. Two lead- 

 ing views expressed concerning the type of 

 organization are : 



(1) That the society should be popular in 

 nature in order to get as many as possible 

 interested in the scientific aspects and appli- 

 cations of meteorology and climatology, and 

 in this way to advance the science by united 

 effort and funds to promote research, and (2) 

 that the society should be strictly scientific, 

 and have rigid qualifications for membership, 

 so that the professional meteorologists can by 

 close personal contact cooperate in research to 

 the best advantage. These two views may 

 not be incompatible if the society when 

 organized welcomes as a member any one who 

 is interested in the aims of the society, and 

 elects from among the members, fellows, as a 

 recognition of eminence in meteorology or 

 climatology. It is generally agreed that all 

 members and fellows should have the same 

 privileges and pay the same dues. The coun- 

 cil of the society would, naturally, be com- 

 posed almost of fellows. Thus, the affairs of 

 the society would be directed by its scientists, 

 with the close backing of a large body of 

 interested members. 



Dues must be sufficient to pay current ex- 

 penses of issuing a periodical leaflet of news, 

 notes, queries, etc., but they must not be 

 burdensome for the large group of underpaid 

 government employees and teachers who are 

 interested. If more than 500 members are 

 procured, dues of $1 per year would probably 

 be sufficient. Much has been said in favor 

 of an endowment fund, and, as some have 

 suggested, also library, instrument, scholar- 

 ship, and building funds. To procure endow- 

 ment, the society will probably be incoporated 



