466 



SCIENCE 



[N. 8. Vol. LH. No. 1350 



tion in favor of a height of 5 ft. 8 in. or 5 ft. 

 10 in., or botli, which is a function simply of 

 human preference for these heights. The 

 writer would appreciate any information from 

 the readers of Science which indicates other 

 ways in which this inversion might have been 

 brought about, or which goes to show that per- 

 sons would tend to regard these two heights as 

 especially desirable. 



The instance shows how difficult it is to ob- 

 tain an " unselected sample " by merely se- 

 curing large numbers of eases without scien- 

 tific control of the original observations. 



Edwin G. Boring 



CLAKK UNrVSRSITT 



( 

 THE PLIGHT OF SCIENTIFIC PERIODICALS 



The world of to-day is in new and trying 

 situations. It is trying its best to meet the 

 conditions imposed upon it by the experiences 

 of the last six years, without relinquishing all 

 of its former ideals. 



Its situation is somewhat like that of a 

 ■family whose house burned last night, but 

 whose clothing and fumitui-e were saved 

 through the energy of the neighbors. Morn- 

 ing has come and reveals the state of con- 

 fusion. Mother's slippers are in the coffee 

 pot and the lamp shade is full of potatoes. 

 Everything is there, but it will require a long 

 time to bring order out of confusion, at the 

 same time the family must live and maintain 

 domestic peace. 



In this country the average man is of the 

 opinion that science had much to do in 

 deciding the military and economic issues 

 from 1914 to 1918. It is not, however, alto- 

 gether unlike human nature that it should 

 forget its benefactor, though still grateful for 

 the benefactions. ITevertheless, science in 

 this cotmtry is to-day in a precarious condi- 

 tion because of the embarrassed financial con- 

 dition of its professional magazines. It has 

 always been difficult to get scientific work 

 published in this country. The publishers 

 were always politely regretting their inability 

 to publish scientific material, because they 

 had fomid by experience that it did not pay. 



The public seemed to have so many other 

 ways in which to spend its money that it 

 didn't want to buy dry books or periodicals. 



Science is advanced by research work. 

 That which is discovered is published in 

 technical periodicals or books in the hope that 

 it may advance knowledge and contribute to 

 human welfare. Eesearch work is mainly 

 done by men and women connected with edu- 

 cational or public service institutions. The 

 discoveries which they make are for the bene- 

 fit of the public rather than the discoverer. 

 Few of their discoveries can be capitalized for 

 personal advantage, and few of the workers 

 have any inclination in that direction. They 

 furnish their original researches to scientific 

 periodicals without receiving reimbursement 

 for them. The main thing the investigator 

 seeks is the opportimity to present his results 

 in an adequate and dignified way to those 

 who may enjoy or use them, and with reason- 

 able promptness. 



Consider the situation of the worker in 

 science at the present time. He sends his 

 manuscript to the editor of the Journal of 



. In due time he receives some 



such letter as this : 



We should he glad to publish your manuscript in 



the Journal of , but our funds are so 



restrioted that we are obliged to cut down articles 

 as much as possible. In view of the increased cost 

 of printing we want to ask if you would be will- 

 ing to omit the introduction and first three tables 

 and to combine the other tables into one. We are 

 trying to restrict all articles to ten pages or less 

 of printed matter. The illustrations can not be 

 published unless you will bear the entire cost of 

 plates and paper yourself. 



Eegretting that such restrictions are necessary, 

 we beg to remain, etc. 



The author is obliged to accede to the 

 editor's requests if his paper is to be pub- 

 lished and writes accordingly. In about eight 

 months he receives the proof sheets and about 

 a year from the time the manuscript was 

 written the journal containing it is issued. 

 The magazine is thin and pale in appearance. 

 In a few weeks the author gets a package of 

 reprints for which he has to pay at the rate 



