SCIENCE 



Editoeial Committee : S. Newcojib, Mathematics ; R. S. Woodward, Slechanics ; E. C. Pickering,, 



Astronomy; T. C. Mendenhall, Physics; R. H. Thurston, Eusineering; iRA Remsen, Chemistry; 



J. Lk CONTE, Geology; W. M. Davis, Physiography; Henky F. Osbokn, Paleontology; "W. K. 



Brooks, C. Hart Mereiam, Zoology; S. H. Scudder, Entomology; C. E. Bessey, N. L. 



Brixton, Botany; C. S. Minot, Embryology, Histology; H. P. Bowditch, Physiology; 



J. S. Billings, Hygiene; J. McKebn Cattell, Psychology; Daniel G. Bein- 



TON, J. W. Powell, Anthropology. 



Friday, June 9, 1899. 



CONTENTS: 



.Senatorial Investigation of Food AduUeration 793 



Amerind — A Designation for the Aboriginal Tribes 

 of the American Hemisphere 795 



Exploring Expedition to the 3Iid-Pacific Ocean: 

 Dr. Hugh M. Smith 796 



The Scientific Study of Irrigation : Dr. A. C. 

 True 798 



Tlie International Catalogue of Scientific Literature 

 — Second Conference (IL): Dr. Cyrus Adler.. 799 



A Double Instrument and a Double 3Iethod for the 

 measurement of Sound : Dr. B. F. Sharpe 808 



New York State Science Teachers Association : Dr. 

 Feanklin "VV. Baeeows 811 



Mcietitific Books :^ 



Vrkunden zur Gesehichte der nichteuklidischen 

 Geometric: Professor George Bkuce Hal- 

 STED. Lachman's The Spirit of Organic Chem- 

 istry : Dr. James F. Norris. Allen's Com- 

 mercial Organic Analysis : Professor W. A. 

 Notes. Books Received 813 



■Societies and Academies : — 



Section of Geology and Mineralogy of tlie Neio 

 York Academy of Sciences: Dr. Alexis A. 

 JULIEN. Torrey Botanical Club : Edward S. 

 BuEGESB. Tlie New York Section of the American 

 Chemical Society : Dr. Dueand Woodman 818 



Discussion and Correspondence : — 



Larval Stage of the Eel: De. Theo. Gill 820 



Scientific Notes and News 820 



University and Educational News 824 



MSS. intended for publication and boolcs, etc., intended 

 for review should be sent to the responsible editor, Profes- 

 .sor J. McKeen Cattell. Garriscn-on-Hudson N. Y. 



SENATORIAL INVESTIGATION OF FOOD 

 ADULTERATION. 



DoEiNG the closing session of the last 

 Congress, the Senate authoi-ized the Com- 

 mittee on Manufactures to conduct a recess 

 investigation on the subject of the extent 

 and character of food adulteration in the 

 United States. By reason of expiration of 

 the term of service, only three members of 

 the Senate Committee on Manufactures re- 

 mained, namely, W. E. Mason, Chairman, 

 of Illinois; W. A. Harris, of Kansas, and 

 G. P. Wetmore, of Ehode Island. Under 

 the terms of the resolution it is not neces- 

 sary to have a quorum of the Committee, 

 but the Chairman or any member desig- 

 nated by him is empowered to conduct the 

 investigation, procure witnesses and to 

 secure the analyses of suspected samples. 



The Committee has already begun its 

 work by holding a two weeks' session in 

 Chicago. Dr. H. W. Wiley, the Chief 

 Chemist of the Department of Agriculture, 

 at the request of the Committee, has been 

 detailed by the Secretary of Agriculture as 

 an expert to attend the examinations and 

 to assist in the work as far as possible. 



Much interesting testimony was secured 

 at the meeting in Chicago in regard to the 

 extent and character of food adulteration. 



Kot only were business men who were 

 engaged in adulteration placed upon the 

 stand, but also some well-known hygienic 

 and scientific experts, among whom may be 



