318 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. LIU. No. 1370 



prepared a splendid and also unique outline of tlie 

 "Proposed periods in the history of astronomy in 

 America." Dr. Eufus showed clearly by six suc- 

 cessive steps, or periods, ihow each developed and 

 expanded into a "two-dimensional form," or 

 system. 



Beginning with the introductory period (1490- 

 1600) he stated how astronomy played its part in 

 eaxly navigation and explorations. Following the 

 colonial period (1600-1780) was the beg innin g of 

 observational astronomy, dominated by John 

 Winithrop and David Eitteniouse. Next was the 

 apparent stationary period (1780-1830), the be- 

 ginning of mathematical astronomy, established by 

 Nathaniel Bowditoh and Benjamin Peirce. Fol- 

 lowing this came the popular period (1830-1860), 

 the beginning of practical astronomy and the 

 rapid rise of college observatories. New astron- 

 omy (1860-1890) was the beginning of astro- 

 physics — the study of the chemical and physical 

 properties of the star light. The last is the con- 

 temporary or correlation period (1890- ), the be- 

 ginning of quantitative astrophysics. 



In each of these six successive periods of course 

 there is the overlapping in time — there is no clear 

 demarcation setting off one period from another. 

 Such an outline as presented by Dr. Rufus sihould 

 form the basis of the history of the physical sci- 

 ences in America. This paper is to appear in 

 print in the course of a few months. 



The last paper before the History of Science 

 section was that by Dr. H. A. Bumstead, of the 

 National Besearch Council and of Yale University. 

 Dr. Bumstead presented the paper "The history 

 of physics," which was one of a series of lectures 

 on the History of Science given before the Yale 

 faculty and students. 



The history of experimental physics from the 

 time of Newton to the present was given so ably 

 flTid charmingly that one might almost say a stand- 

 ard of scholarly presentation of a scientific topic 

 had been reached. Fortunately this paper also is 

 to appear in one of the early numbers of the 

 ^oientifio Monthly, and later to appear in book 

 form. This marked the last public address of Dr. 

 3umstead, for on the foHowng day, en route to 

 Washington, he died. The richness of Dr. Bum- 

 stead's singularly attractive personality, and the 

 depth of his scholarship and culture have left an 

 indelible mark on all those who have ever come in 

 contact with him. 



During the Wednesday session the election for 

 officers of the section was held — and the following 

 were accordingly elected: 



For Vice-president : Dr. William A. Locy, North- 

 western University. 



For Sectional Committee: Dr. Florian Cajori, 

 University of California; Dr. George Sarton, Car- 

 negie Institution; Dr. Walter Libby, University 

 of Pittsburgh; Dr. Louis C. KarpinsM, University 

 of Michigan. 



For Secretary: Frederick E. Brasch, John 

 Crerar Library, Chicago. 



This holding of two conferences by two dif- 

 ferent organizations, marks the beginning of a new 

 phase of seientiflo learning and scholarship in 

 America. 



In Europe much has been accomplished in the 

 advancement of the History of Science studies, 

 especially so in England. Oxford and Cambridge 

 universities and University of London have recog- 

 nized the cultural value and have established fa- 

 cilities for research work. Also, independent sec- 

 tions for the History of Science have been organ- 

 ized by the ' ' Versa.mmlung Deutscher Natur- 

 forscher und Aerzte, " and by the "Society 

 ItaUana per il Progresso deUe Scienze. " The ac- 

 tivity of the Italian historians of science is evi- 

 denced by the new publication — ' ' Archivio di Storia 

 deUa Scienza, ' ' edited by Aldo Micli ; besides other 

 historical publications that axe appearing. And it 

 is to be desired similar publications be encouraged 

 and supported in this country. Therefore, it is to 

 be hoped that through cooperation and coordination 

 the History of Science movement, thus fostered 

 and encouraged by the American Historical Asso- 

 ciation and the American Association for the Ad- 

 vancement of Science, can likewise aid in this 

 "New Humanism." Fkedekick E. Brasch, 



Secretary 



THE OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 



The Optical Society of America was organized 

 in 1916. As stated in its constitution, "It is the 

 aim and purpose of this society to increase and 

 diffuse the knowledge of optics, to promote the 

 mutual interests of investigators of optical prob- 

 lems, of designers, manufacturers and users of 

 optical instruments and apparatus of all kinds and 

 to encourage cooperation among them." While 

 the society pays especial attention to ' ' applied ' ' 

 optics and, on this account, covers a field not 

 previously covered, it is not to be regarded as a 

 technological society in contradistinction to a so- 

 ciety devoted to "pure" science. The aim of the 

 society is to cover tihe field of optics, including 

 "pure" optics as well as "optical engineering." 



