July 3, 1908] 



SCIENCE 



19 



3. The group of societies forming the nat- 

 uralists constitutes a great natural subdi- 

 vision of the American Association for the 

 Advancement of Science, representing a defi- 

 nite phase of the work and aims of this gen- 

 eral society, but in no sense subordinate to it. 

 The American Association should act for the 

 Naturalists where its aid is demanded, but the 

 relations of the two societies must be so ad- 

 justed that there shall be no danger of en- 

 croachment on the dignity, powers or func- 

 tions of the Naturalists. The broader society 

 can obtain good results only by a generous 

 attitude of service to its coordinated sections. 



4. The Society of Naturalists should then 

 be preserved as an important group, but in a 

 modified form. 



5. The organization of the society should 

 be made more representative and efficient by 

 including all of the members of all affiliated 

 societies. It should not then be restricted, 

 from chiefly accidental causes, to a special 

 list of names. As a matter of fact all nat- 

 uralists are welcomed and actually take part 

 in its dinners, discussions, etc. They should 

 then be recognized as members. At present 

 even a few of the officers of some of the 

 affiliated societies are not rated as members 

 of the naturalists. 



6. The naturalists should appoint a com- 

 mittee to bring about a new coordination be- 

 tween their affiliated societies and also to 

 secure a proper adjustment with the Amer- 

 ican Association for the Advancement of 

 Science. 



7. As soon as the affiliated societies will 

 take this necessary action to place the So- 

 ciety of Naturalists on the footing it should 

 occupy, the membership should be as follows : 

 The membership of the society should still be 

 published, but, since identical with that of 

 its affiliated societies, by simply giving the 

 titles of these societies, and referring to their 

 lists and that of the American Association 

 for addresses, etc. A few who are members 

 of the naturalists, but not of the affiliated 

 societies, should, of course, be added. In 

 addition there should be a statement of the 

 constitution, aims and acts of the society and 

 its function of organizing cooperation in bio- 



logical undertakings where combined action 

 is desirable, should be clearly formulated and 

 recognized. 



8. The Society of Naturalists should no 

 longer be obliged to collect dues, except from 

 members not belonging to the affiliated so- 

 cieties. Even with its annual fee of one 

 dollar it does not now receive the amount 

 which should come to it under a different 

 organization. 



9. The affiliated societies should collect a 

 small annual fee in addition to their own, 

 to be devoted to the purposes of the Society 

 of Naturalists, thus recognizing its useful- 

 ness. This would probably give a larger an- 

 nual total than is now collected from its 

 restricted membership. 



10. The society should make the American 

 Naturalist its official organ, and this journal 

 should set aside special sections for the publi- 

 cation of articles and discussions bearing on 

 the problems of the society. Dr. McMur- 

 rich, the late president of the society, has re- 

 cently (see Science, March 5, 1908), pointed 

 out in an able manner advisable lines for 

 future development. He has also well ex- 

 pressed the feeling of many members that 

 this society is an important factor in the 

 scientific and educational development of 

 this country, and the above suggestions are 

 not intended to conflict in any way with the 

 co mm on desire that the society shall continue 

 to remain independent, even though a read- 

 justment of its external relations shall per- 

 mit a more effective cooperation. 



H. McE. Knower 

 Secretary to the American 

 Society of Naturalists 



NEWS FROM KILAUEA 



This volcano is now in action. Since 1894 

 there has been no exhibition at all comparable 

 with that now apparent. Hon. L. A. Thurs- 

 ton, than whom there is no better judge of 

 the conditions, writes as follows to the Ad- 

 vertiser issued May 29 : 



Within the last few weeks the central pit has 

 filled up by the rising of molten lava within its 

 walls until its floor is now only about 200 feet 

 below the floor of the main crater. 



At this level, 200 feet below the spectator. 



