Decembee 6, 1912] 



SCIENCE 



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gratory meetings, to promote intercourse be- 

 tween those who are cultivating science in dif- 

 ferent parts of the United States; to give a 

 stronger and more general impulse, and a more 

 systematic direction to scientific research in 

 our country; and to procure for the labors of 

 scientific men increased facilities and a wider 

 usefulness." Collegiate professors, and the 

 few who, scattered through the industrial and 

 professional walks of life, have power and leis- 

 ure to do something positive in the interpreta- 

 tion of nature, chiefiy constitute this nomadic 

 association. The sympathetic bond of scien- 

 tific investigation, of endeavor at some point 

 to transcend the line which divides the known 

 from the unknown in nature and in man; this 

 union of purpose is that central thread of con- 

 nection which makes a unity of elements in- 

 dividually so diverse. This association is the 

 TJ. S. Congress of Science, but one without 

 parties or patronage, and in which all depart- 

 ments of genuine knowledge and philosophy 

 find recognition and representation. In this 

 convocation many of our noblest minds dis- 

 play their stores of rugged wealth, and genius 

 here exhibits the pearls it has drawn from the 

 depths of truth's great ocean. Calmly and 

 soberly, with a style perhaps void of eloquence 

 and grace, yet earnest, direct and truthful, 

 does the inquisitor of nature tell of the con- 

 fessions he has extorted from the animate and 

 inanimate realms of the created. Feeble 

 minds at times will expound crudities and 

 venture rash flights, but some voice of sage 

 philosophy or sool experience is ever at hand 

 to correct misconceptions or cripple a too law- 

 less wing. A generous and delightful spirit of 

 amity has hitherto prevailed, almost without 

 interruption, in these meetings, and great 

 would be the pity and the shame if a less 

 tolerant and courteous feeling should ever 

 enter an assemblage devoted to objects so noble 

 and elevating. He is more of an egotist than 

 a true student of nature who can engage in 

 fierce contention on points of science. 



In September of 184Y " The Association of 

 American Naturalists and Geologists," while 

 assembled in Boston, decided to expand its or- 

 ganization so as to bring the entire field of 



positive science within its compass, and ac- 

 cordingly resolved itself into the "American 

 Association for the Advancement of Science." 

 The geologists created by the great necessity 

 for geological exploration over our magnifi- 

 cent domain, and the naturalists engaged in 

 parallel and often associated labors, found it 

 necessary to band together, and at appointed 

 meetings to learn from each other the results 

 of their respective labors. As this association 

 grew vigorous and compact the need of a 

 broader basis for operations was felt, and at 

 last led to that expansion which has made for 

 us an association, organized on the same prin- 

 ciples, and for the same ends, as the British 

 Association for the United Kingdom, and the 

 earlier general association for Germany. 



The instauration meeting of this new body 

 was held in Philadelphia, during September, 

 1848. A constitution was then adopted, which, 

 with some modifications, is still in force. The 

 idea was too new to meet with full success, 

 and accordingly, that meeting, of four days 

 duration, exhibits less of interest than the sub- 

 sequent ones. Tet much was done towards 

 making generally known what the objects pro- 

 posed really were. 



The second meeting was held in Cambridge 

 during August, 1849. The venerable shades 

 of Harvard swarmed with philosophers, and 

 new voices resounded within her time-honored 

 walls. A full attendance, numerous communi- 

 cations of interest and importance, many so- 

 cial courtesies, and a harmony which knew no 

 check, made a. tout ensemhle held by many in 

 delightful memory. 



Next was appointed and held a semi-annual 

 meeting at Charleston in March, 1850. Here 

 several elaborate papers on geological and bo- 

 tanical subjects were presented, and the pro- 

 ceedings exhibited much variety. Unfortu- 

 nately a gleam of middle-age intolerance dared 

 to intrude and to foment some animosity 

 under the cloak of religion. But we trust that 

 the time is past when science need fear boldly 

 to speak out its truths, however unwelcome or 

 provocative of the odium theologicum. We 

 hope the drama of Galileo will under all forms 



