Jantjart 15, 1915] 



SCIENCE 



85 



upon sucli an observer are very severe because 

 the apparatus is extensive and complicated, 

 and skilled and constant care must be devoted 

 to the observations. Such services usually 

 begin to be satisfactory about two months 

 after the start is made, and their value in- 

 creases through many years. The salary of 

 such an assistant should be $1,000 for the first 

 year and there should be an increase of $100 

 each year until $1,500 is reached. 



An unexpected result was that in nearly 

 every case, the principal need proved to be for 

 assistants. Some preferred one experienced 

 observer, others two computers. In some 

 cases, it is believed that if the work were once 

 started it would be continued by the univer- 

 sity. An astronomer can often direct one or 

 two assistants so that they will obtain as 

 accurate results as if he devoted the same time 

 to the work himself. A small appropriation 

 may thus double the output of his observatory. 



My own application is included since I be- 

 lieve that as important results can be obtained 

 here as elsewhere, biit if all can not be pro- 

 vided for, I recommend that other astronomers 

 having fewer assistants should receive pre- 

 cedence. Even if only a portion of the sum 

 asked for could be provided, it is probable that 

 an extraordinary relative output would be 

 obtained. It is hoped that, in some cases, 

 those interested in a particular observatory 

 may be willing to supply its needs. 



Edward C. Pickering 

 December 21, 1914 



FBANCIS HUMPHBEYS STOBEB 



Francis Humphreys Storer, of the Massa- 

 chusetts Institute of Technology and later of 

 the Bussey Institution of Harvard University, 

 was born March 2Y, 1832, and died July 30, 

 1914. His father was David Humphreys 

 Storer (M.D., LL.D.) and his mother was 

 Abby Jane (Brewer) Storer. He married 

 Catherine A. Eliot, sister of Charles W. Eliot, 

 June 21, 18Y1. 



Professor Storer studied at the Lawrence 

 Scientific School in 1850-51. He was assist- 

 ant to Professor Cooke in 1853. He received 



from Harvard University the degree of S.B. 

 in 1855 and the honorary degree of A.M. in 

 1870. Prom 1855 to 1857 he studied abroad 

 and from 1857 to 1865 he practised as a 

 chemist. 



The writer knew him intimately from 1865 

 to 1870 when he was professor of general and 

 industrial chemistry in the Massachusetts In- 

 stitute of Technology and the writer was his 

 pupil. In that year he resigned his position to 

 become professor of agricultural chemistry in 

 the Bussey Institution; the next year' he be- 

 came dean, an office which he held until he 

 withdrew in 1907. 



Professor Storer's pupils say of him that he 

 was the best of teachers of chemistry. He and 

 Professor Eliot were the pioneers in intro- 

 ducing the experimental method of giving in- 

 struction to classes in chemistry, and those 

 who were ripe for it found in it the greatest 

 inspiration. He was uniformly genial and had 

 a great faculty of imparting his knowledge 

 that was thoroughly interesting to his stu- 

 dents. He possessed one of the most fasci- 

 nating personalities of our day. Professor 

 Rogers and Professor Storer were the two most 

 inspiring teachers we had in the early days of 

 Technology. Many of the pupils owe their ab- 

 sorbing interest in science to these two strong 

 characters. In those days there were members 

 of the faculty who were in favor of letting 

 the students obtain the degree too easily; 

 Storer was foremost in opposing this laxity, 

 and insisted on the highest possible standard. 

 He was a thorough teacher and a gentleman of 

 high culture. He had a human side too, which 

 endeared him to his pupils. On one occasion 

 when an expedition was arranged to visit the 

 coal mine in Rhode Island, all the party had 

 arrived at the train and were excited and 

 anxious because Eli Forbes had not turned up. 

 At the last minute he appeared and stepped 

 aboard as the train started and Storer re- 

 marked " and here is Eli the most prompt of 

 us all." 



All agree that his loss to Technology in 

 1870 was a severe one to that school. 



Of his connection with the Bussey Institu- 

 tion it may be said he was always very ready 



