820 



SCIENCE 



[N. 8. Vol. XXXIX. No. 1014 



widely a circular asking for the opinions o£ 

 geologists generally, the replies to be reported 

 at the next meeting of the Association, which 

 was to be held at Montreal. Before the issuing 

 of this circular John E. Proctor, state geolo- 

 gist of Kentucky, was added to the committee. 

 This circular was drawn up by the chairman 

 of the committee and, on submission to the 

 members of the committee, was approved 

 unanimously by them. It was based almost en- 

 tirely on a previous rough draft prepared by 

 Williams and presented to the committee by 

 him at one of the preliminary meetings at Cin- 

 cinnati. Its main points are as follows: 



The committees are desirous of eliciting 

 opinions from, all active and professional geolo- 

 gists, to the end that more judicious and 

 effective action may be taken at the next 

 meeting. 



1. The science of geology, with its kindred 

 branches of paleontology and lithology, has 

 made rapid progress in America — perhaps 

 more rapid than in any other country — in the 

 last twenty years. 



2. The literature of geology is largely dis- 

 tributed through numerous scientific journals, 

 and in the proceedings of miscellaneous scien- 

 tific societies, to procure which is difficult and 

 expensive. 



3. The present facilities afforded through 

 the American Association for the Advance- 

 ment of Science are insufficient, and unavail- 

 able by the working geologists of the country — 

 because (a) The meetings are held in the sum- 

 mer, which is the geologist's working season. 

 In order to be present he must interrupt his 

 work and leave the field, often at considerable 

 expense, especially if he has a party with him. 

 (6) Its brief meetings partake largely of the 

 nature of vacation pleasure-parties, and much 

 of the tinle is engrossed by reception, gratula- 

 tion and excursions, (c) There is no sufficient 

 avenue of publication of the work of geologists. 

 (d) The association has become so large, wide- 

 spread and popular in its work, membership 

 and organization that its spirit necessarily, 

 and properly, is not favorable to the develop- 

 ment of any special work through its own 

 agency. 



4. The geologists, as a body, have no way of 

 expressing their views on important state, na- 

 tional or international measures, except 

 through the medium of the American Associa- 

 tion, at the meetings of which there is a per- 

 ceptible and increasing lack of attendance and 

 interest on the part of geologists, in conse- 

 quence of which the actual views of the geol- 

 ogists of the country on such questions can 

 not be obtained and expressed correctly. 



5. There is no strictly geological magazine 

 or journal in America. 



6. There is no strictly geological society in 

 America. 



Y. There are numerous such societies and 

 journals in Europe as well as journals and 

 societies devoted exclusively to the branches of 

 paleontology and mineralogy. 



The committee desire also to disclaim any 

 intention to trespass on the field and plans of 

 the American Association for the Advance- 

 ment of Science, or to criticize it in any way 

 as to the discharge of its functions. Its tend- 

 ency is to popularize science and to advance 

 its acceptance by the world by diffusing scien- 

 tific knowledge, and by announcing important 

 discoveries, and as such, its sphere of activity 

 is one that no special scientific body can oc- 

 cupy, but which still will be aided by the 

 existence of tributary organizations, such as 

 that contemplated by this circular. 



At Montreal responses were read from the 

 following geologists : S. A. Miller, James Mac- 

 farlane, Franklin Piatt, W. P. Blake, J. D. 

 Dana, P. A. Chadbourne, J. E. Todd, E. W. 

 Claypole, Wm. M. Davis, M. C. Eead, Chas. 

 E. Billin, W. H. Pettee, Geo. H. Stone, John 

 CoUett, E. E. Call, Warren TTpham, W. G. 

 Piatt, C. A. Ashburner, E. T. Cross, G. K. 

 Warren, A. Winchell, Eobert Bell, P. W. 

 Schaeffer, S. E. Tillman, E. O. Ulrich, C. H. 

 Hitchcock, Edward Orton, W. J. Davis, J. W. 

 Dawson. 



The official report of the proceedings at 

 Montreal states that A. Winchell was chosen 

 chairman and C. H. Hitchcock secretary. 

 Several sessions were held. Ninety answers 

 to the circular which had been issued were 

 reported by the chairman of the committee. 



