174 
might be well to utilize the experience 
gained by a number of journals which have 
given full bibliographies of anthropology 
for a series of years, principally the bibli- 
ography of the ‘ Archiv fiir Anthropologie,’ 
which has been continued successfully 
through a considerable series of years, and 
from which also an approximate estimate 
of the annual number of entries may be 
gained. 
It would seem that the schedule for an- 
thropology should correspond with the 
schedule of geography, of zoology, of physi- 
ology and of psychology. The numbers J 
3700, J 3710, and J 3720 relate to J 3730 
and J 3740, ethnography, population and 
race, language, customs and occupations, 
migration. These will be duplicated in Q. 
On the other hand, the topographical clas- 
sification applied in geography should be 
applied in the schedule for anthropology. 
The division Anthropometry, which is 
evidently meant to embrace the anthropo- 
logical treatment of anatomical, physiolog- 
ical and psychological questions, will 
probably better be arranged according to 
the schedule suggested for zoology, physi- 
ology and psychology. It would seem that 
the division Races might best be replaced by 
the geographical division suggested in the 
schedule for geography. 
The term ‘ Ethnology’ is not represented 
in the schedule, the last seven divisions evi- 
dently being intended to take its place. The 
sub-division of these divisions are of very 
unequal scope, and the general principle 
underlying these seven classes is not quite 
consistent. This is partially true of so- 
ciology in its relation to arts, religion and 
administration. If the sub-divisions were 
carried out in the manner proposed, the 
number of secondary slips would become 
exceedingly large, probably so large as to be- 
come unwieldly. For this reason it would 
seem to the writer that for descriptive ma- 
terial a less number of sub-divisions com- 
SCIENCE. 
[N.S. Vou. X. No. 241. 
bined with geographical sub-divisions migh® 
be used, while for ethnological discussions 
the geographical sub-division might be dis- 
regarded, and an exhaustive ethnological 
sub-division might take its place. 
Franz Boas. 
THE DANGER OF INDISCRIMINATE ACCLI- 
MATIZATION IN THE CASE OF 
MAMMALS AND BIRDS.* 
Two events of the past year have drawu 
attention to the evils which are likely to 
follow the unrestricted introduction of 
birds and mammals into new localities. 
The attempt to expel the English sparrow 
from Boston Common last spring aroused 
unusual interest in this bird throughout 
Massachusetts and made many persons 
realize, perhaps for the first time, the ex- 
tent to which it had spread in the United 
States. The recent acquisition of new ter- 
ritory has brought up the question of deal- 
ing with new pests and preventing their 
introduction into this country. Both Ha- 
waii and Puerto Rico are overrun by the 
mongoose, one of the most destructive ani- 
mals in the world, and prompt and effective 
measures are necessary to prevent its in- 
troduction into some of the Southern or 
Western States. 
Acclimatization has deservedly attracted 
widespread interest, but too little attention 
has been paid to the safeguards necessary 
in such experiments. Animals and birds, 
unlike plants, are seldom kept in captivity, 
but are liberated in order that they may 
live as nearly as possible under natural 
conditions. Even domesticated animals 
may cause untold damage if allowed torun 
wild and increase indefinitely, as shown by 
the work of goats and cats which have 
been turned loose on islands. Animals, 
* Abstract of article entitled ‘The Danger of In- 
troducing Noxious Animals and Birds,’ Yearbook of 
the Department of Agriculture for 1898, pp. 87-110. 
Illustrated. 
