SILENCE 
EDITORIAL CoMMITTEE: S. NEWwcoMB, Mathematics; R. S. WoopwARD, Mechanics; E. C. PICKERING, 
Astronomy; T. C. MENDENHALL, Physics; R. H. THURSTON, Engineering; IRA REMSEN, Chemistry; 
J. LE ContE, Geology; W. M. Davis, Physiography; HENRY F. OsBoRN, Paleontology ; W. K. 
Brooks, C. HART MERRIAM, Zoology; S. H. ScupDER, Entomology; C. E. Bessy, N. L. 
BRITTON, Botany; C. S. Minot, Embryology, Histology; H. P. BowpitcH, Physiology; 
J. S. Bintinas, Hygiene; J. McKEEN CATTELL, Psychology; 
J. W. PowE.LL, Anthropology. 
Europe: PROFESSOR FRANZ Boas. Quarry In- 
dustry and Quarry Geology: F. J. H. M. The 
Depopulation of France: J. MCKEEN CATTELL. 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1899. 
CONTENTS: General. Books Received..........cccesevececovenseees 288 
The American Association for the Advancement of Scientific Journals and Articles .......0.00sceeceesecesees 297 
Science :— Discussion and Correspondence :— 
The Columbus and New York Meetings.........++.... 265 The Schedule for Psychology of the International 
Address of Welcome: DR. W. O. THOMPSON... 267 
Address of the President: DR. EDWARD ORTON. 268 
Proceedings of the Association: PROFESSOR 
FREDERICK BEDELL............cssceeeeeeceeeeeeees 272 
The Definition of the Element: PROFESSOR F. 
12, \WAaiRAISI HI} 6oncoaconaboboododedcenogqoddcoscO0000000 274 
Engineering Education asa Preliminary Training 
for Scientific Research Work: PROFESSOR 
RSNOT Re TRUOAE TS 46536n96500q60906000000260 Bos 59955005 282 
Fauna and Flora of Puerto Rico: DR. MARK W. 
HARRINGTON.........0000e00 es eoanooqdcoabeéoa6xb0s | Goad 286 
The Botanical Society of America: DR. ARTHUR 
18 (OLTHIOI Ko qsosandgcedoo0o0deedacn nb00de0b000080 000080000 288 
Scientific Books :— 
Ward’s Naturalism and Agnosticism : PROFES- 
sor W. K. Brooks. Ripley on the Races of 
Catalogue: PROFESSOR J. MARK BALDWIN, 
PROFESSOR J. MCKEEN CATTELL. Pot-hole vs. 
Remolino: DR. GEORGE P. MERRILL.............. 297 
Notes on Physics :— 
The Transmission of Light through Absorbing 
Media; Spreading and Reversal of Spectral 
Lines ; Lecture Experiments with the Wehnelt In- 
terrupter ; Velocity of Electric Waves in Air: W. 
S. F 008 
Notes on Inorganic Chemistry: J. L. H... 299 
Return of the Wellmann Expedition........-. 300 
Scientific Notes and News.......++...++++ -. 300 
University and Educational News.........2csccceeeeeeees 304 
MSS. intended for publication and books, etc., intended 
for review should be sent to the responsible editor, Profes- 
sor J. McKeen Cattell, Garrison-on-Hudson, N. Y. 
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. 
Tue second half century in the history of the American Association was begun 
worthily last week at Columbus. It might have been feared that a meeting following 
the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary at Boston and held at some distance from the 
Atlantic seaboard would witness a small attendance and perhaps a lack of interest. 
This was by no means the case. The attendance was larger than at Detroit, Buffalo, 
Madison and Cleveland, and about the same as at Springfield, Indianapolis and Ann 
Arbor, while it was the unanimous opinion of those present that the meeting was in 
every respect profitable and enjoyable. 
It seems evident that the Association has now entered upon a newera. In the 
course of fifty years the environment has altered greatly and for a little while there 
seemed to be some danger lest the Association might fail to adjust itself to the new condi- 
