Fripay, SEPTEMBER 20, 1918 
CONTENTS 
Plans for a History of Mathematics in the 
Nineteenth Century: PRoressor FLORIAN 
NUATORNADIHS o2)d-s deele Dict e eelaldve Rha Rebla stareh iataiees 279 
The British National Physical Laboratory.... 284 
Scientific Events :— 
The Students’ Army Training Corps; The 
Epidemic of Spanish Influenza; San Fran- 
cisco Joint Council of National Engineering 
Societies; Chemists and the Chemical War- 
fare Service; Scientific Organizations of 
TRG HALAEAINGHONS: 5 wicidiet\eids csid edible lteats 288 
Scientific Notes and News ......-...2..-e005 291 
University and Educational News .......... 294 
Discussion and Correspondence :— 
Dual Queens in a Colony of Honey Bees: 
PROFESSOR CAROLINE B. THOMPSON. Para- 
mecia with Extra Contractile Vacuoles: Pro- 
Fessor Rosert T. Hance. Mathematical 
Instruction and the War: Dr. Henry Buum- 
ECHOES Cet 20 lari cota RIN ei aicl ew toda ahfiaia.6.,elb tate 294 
Quotations :— 
Science and the Civil Service ............. 296 
Scientific Books :— 
Robertson’s The Physical Chemistry of the 
Proteins: Dr. DoNALD D. VAN SLYKE...... 298 
Special Articles :— 
Unlike Reaction of Different Individuals to 
Fragrance in Verbena Flowers: Dr. A. F. 
BLAKESLEE. The White-spot Disease of 
Alfalfa: Dr. P. J. O’Gara. The Polyhe- 
dral Virus of Insects: Dr. R. W. Guaser. 298 
MSS. intended for publication and books, etc.,intended for 
review should be sent to The Editor of Science, Garrison-on- 
Hudson, N. Y. 
PLANS FOR A HISTORY OF MATHE- 
MATICS IN THE NINETEENTH 
CENTURY! 
My distinguished predecessor in the pres- 
idency of this association at one time ingen- 
iously concocted a plan of procedure which if 
adopted, would have enabled him and succeed- 
ing presidents to escape the ordeal of pre- 
paring a presidential address. As a member 
of the council, I greatly enjoyed cooperating 
with others in nipping the president’s scheme 
in the bud. Little did I know at that time 
that I was working against my own best in- 
terests and against the pleasure and comfort 
of the association on the present occasion, 
An address being expected, it is my in- 
tention briefly to discuss plans of an organized 
movement for the writing of the history of 
mathematics of the nineteenth century on 
a scale commensurate with what has been 
achieved for previous periods. Taking for 
granted that such a history is desirable, in 
order that the present age may apprehend 
itself by comprehending its origin and growth, 
three important questions present themselves 
for consideration: Is it possible so early in 
the present century to write a satisfactory 
history of the preceding century? What will 
be the magnitude of the task, as compared 
with the labor involved in writing the earlier 
history? What should be the aim and nature 
of such a history? 
As regards the first question, the material 
for the writing of modern scientific history is 
quite easily accessible. In this respect the 
writer of the history of science enjoys a great 
advantage over the writer of the history of 
recent diplomacy or war. Nor are the feel- 
ings and prejudices as intense on matters of 
1 Address delivered by Professor Florian Cajori 
as retiring president of the Mathematical Associa- 
tion of America, at Dartmouth College, on Satur- 
day, September 7, 1918. 
