252 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. LIII. No. 1368 



(a) to enlist in active propaganda to impress 

 the community at large and tlie educa- 

 tional fraternity in particular -with the 

 importance of science instruction; 



(h) to discuss and agree upon tlie aims of sci- 

 ence instruction, their relative impor- 

 tance, and proper grade placement; 



(c) to discuss and agree upon the principles 



of selection of the subject-matter for the 

 curriculum and the placement of this 

 subject-matter in the various levels of 

 the school; 



(d) to stimulate accurate scientific investi- 



gations along the above lines and also 

 in the methods of teaching science; 



(«) to devise tests to determine in how far vre 

 are succeeding in accomplishing the de- 

 sired aims of science teaching by the 

 methods in vogue; 



(/) to employ a national secretary for part 

 time at the outset and ultimately for all 

 of his time who would extend the in- 

 fluence of the organization, make it effi- 

 cient and coordinate the work of indi- 

 vidual investigators along the above 

 lines. 



Elliot E. Downing 

 The School op Education, 

 University op Chicago 



SCIENTIFIC EVENTS 



BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE STATE OF 

 WASHINGTON 



During the past year biological investiga- 

 tions of the distribution and habits of the 

 birds and mammals of the state of Washing- 

 ton have been continued by the Bureau of 

 Biological Survey, TT. S. Department of Agri- 

 culture, in cooperation vrith the State College 

 of Washington, and the State ISTormal School, 

 Bellingham, Washington. Early in July, 1920, 

 there was begun a biological cross-section of 

 the state, wtich, when completed, will extend 

 from Bellingham on Puget Sound to the Pend 

 d'Oreille country in the extreme northeastern 

 corner of the state. During the summer sea- 

 son more than 200 miles were traversed by 

 pack train in the northern Cascade Moun- 

 tains, the party consisting of Professor Wil- 



liam T. Shaw, State College of Washington; 

 J. M. Edson, State Normal School, Belling- 

 ham, and George G. Caiitwell and Dr. Walter 

 P. Taylor, of the Biological Survey, the last 

 named being in general charge of the work. 

 During the fall months Mr. Cantwell con- 

 tinued the cross-section, making studies in the 

 Okanogan Highlands just south of the Ca- 

 nadian boundary between Oroville and Mar- 

 cus, Washington. Contrasts in ^the fauna and 

 flora as thus far developed are marked, and 

 indicate that when the work is completed, ma- 

 terials will he available for a significant treat- 

 ment of an interesting ecologic transect. It is 

 hoped to complete the field work in the state 

 during the present year. 



THE PRESERVATION OF NATURAL CONDITIONS 



The Ecological Society of America's Com- 

 mittee on the Preservation of Natural Condi- 

 tions has been listing and describing areas 

 with original flora and fauna, preserved and 

 desii-able for reservation for scientific pur- 

 poses, and is now just entering on the more 

 extensive field work, with three additional 

 joint chairman added. The plan of work and 

 men in charge are as follows: Professor V. E. 

 Shelford, University of Illinois, Urbana, 111. 

 (senior chairman, research and publication) 

 is continuing preparation of the list which 

 is to serve as a manual on natural areas 

 with sections on the care, management and 

 uses. E. B. Miller, state forester, IJrbana, 

 111. (chairman, publicity state organization) 

 wishes to enlist the cooperation of one organi- 

 zation interested in science in each state and 

 province. Dr. F. B. Sumner, Seripps Insti- 

 tution, La Jolla, Calif, (chairman, organiza- 

 tion of research interests) is working on a 

 union of research interests in natural areas, 

 as represented by scientific societies, museums, 

 and universities, into an organization to pro- 

 vide needed funds. C. F. Korstian, TT. S. 

 Forest Service, Ogden, Utah (chairman, Nat- 

 ural Areas in National Forests) is working 

 on the selection of suitable natural areas 

 which may be set aside within the existing 

 national forest. Those having knowledge of 

 areas preserved suitable for preservation, es- 



