Apkil 30, 1909] 



SCIENCE 



689 



safely ask if it is good business policy to 

 engage the services of a highly trained man, 

 impose upon him the most exacting phys- 

 ical and mental labor, and at the same time 

 place him under conditions which compel 

 him to expend from twenty-five to fifty per 

 cent, of his nervous energy in attempts to 

 meet situations altogether foreign to his 

 professional work ? 



A confirmation of these views comes to 

 us in a wholly unexpected manner through 

 the death, on the twelfth of November last, 

 of one of the most distinguished zoologists 

 of the world. A man of singular modesty 

 but charming personality, he saw in the 

 needs of the younger generation demands 

 which rose superior to all personal consid- 

 erations. The story comes to us that much 

 needed rest from most exacting labors was 

 refused in the interests of his children. 

 Who will dare say that we have not in this 

 picture an exhibition of the highest type 

 of noble self-sacrifice, and who is in a posi- 

 tion to deny that he might yet be with us 

 and prosecuting his work, had he been 

 granted that pecuniary recognition which 

 would have given him an opportunity for 

 the proper care of his children without 

 unnecessary hardship? 



If the Society of Naturalists could lend 

 its influence in the direction of an improved 

 public appreciation of the services of the 

 college professor, the real relation he bears 

 to advancement in all departments of intel- 

 lectual and industrial life, and a proper 

 financial recognition of his services, it 

 would confer upon society at large a benefit 

 for which an adequate standard is difficult 

 to find. 



But I must hasten to direct your atten- 

 tion to the problem which demands imme- 

 diate consideration, "How to find a remedy 

 for the difficult situation in which the 

 society is now placed ? ' ' 



As the result of a very careful consid- 

 eration at the hands of your executive body, 



and after obtaining a wide expression of 

 views and some detailed plans, a proposi- 

 tion has been formulated which may serve 

 as the basis of action by the society as a 

 whole. 



The general sentiment appears adverse 

 to maintaining the society as a mere hold- 

 ing body. This opinion correctly indicates 

 that the society must have some broader 

 and higher function than that implied by 

 an annual banquet and a public discussion. 

 The various afiiliated societies must be led 

 to feel that there is a living force which 

 brings them into harmonious relations with 

 all kindred societies ; that the central organ- 

 ization deals with the larger and broader 

 questions in a spirit of coordination and in 

 a way not possible to those engaged in the 

 pursuit of specialties; that it lends its ac- 

 tive infiuenee in the promotion of research ; 

 that it is alive to the interests of the scien- 

 tific professions, and that it has regard to 

 problems of broad policy — in a word, that 

 it is a living bond which makes for solid- 

 arity, community of interests, enthusiasm. 

 The society should not only concern itself 

 with the progress of science, but it is quite 

 as much within its province to have regard 

 for what may be called the economics of 

 the scientific professions — the various con- 

 ditions which affect the status, welfare and 

 capacity of the individual. 



In view of the overshadowing influence 

 which larger and more popular bodies must 

 necessarily exert, it is proposed that, here- 

 after, the meetings of the Naturalists shall 

 remain independent of other general socie- 

 ties. This does not exclude the use of con- 

 vocation week, but it does imply that we 

 shall henceforth select some other time and 

 place of meeting than that chosen by any 

 society of a general and more or less pop- 

 ular character. 



The present relations of specialists' so- 

 cieties to the Society of Naturalists is satis- 

 factory in principle, though in practise 



