SCIENCE 
EDITORIAL CommitrEe: S. NeEwcoms, Mathematics; R. S. WoopWARD, Mechanics; E. C. PICKERING, 
Astronomy; T. C. MENDENHALL, Physics; R. H. THURSTON, Engineering; IRA REMSEN, Chemistry; 
J. Le Contr, Geology; W. M. Davis, Physiography; Henry F. OsBoRN, Paleontology ; W. K. 
Brooks, C. HART MERRIAM, Zoology; 8S. H. ScuppDER, Entomology; C. E. Bessey, N. L. 
BrRitron, Botany; C. S. Minot, Embryology, Histology; H. P. BowpircH, Physiology; 
J. S. Brutines, Hygiene; J. MCKEEN CATTELL, Psychology; 
; J. W. POWELL, Anthropology. 
Fripay, NovemMBER 10, 1899. 
CONTENTS: 
Scientific Work of the Lick Observatory: PROFES- 
SOR JAMES EH. KEELER.............:0...0cesesss een ens 665 
The Early Presidents of the American Association, 
II. (with plate): Dr. Marcus BENJAMIN.... 670 
The Best Movement for Handwriting: Dr. R. 8. 
W/OD WVOITIE! oop sqcnoddsacoadv0 scosabcooHobseonoadoDobIBeD 679 
A Census of the Fossil Vertebrata of North America : 
@» 1B} TEARS cccosooagassccanobocuce codeddooabbocodenGRdeuEG 681 
The International Association of Academies ..........+ 684 
Scientific Books :— 
Burbury’s Kinetic Theory of Gases: PROFES- 
sor EDWIN H. HALL. Cesdro’s elementi di cal- 
colo infinitesimale: PROFESSOR E. O. LOVETT. 
Kirchhoff’s Pflanzen- und Tierverbreitung : PRO- 
FESSOR CONWAY MACMILLAN. Wanklyn and 
Cooper on Sewage, Analysis: PROFESSOR W. P. 
Mason. Hillyer’s Laboratory Manual of Chem- 
istry ; Lengfeld’s Inorganic Chemical Prepara- 
tions: PROFESSOR W. A. NOYES..............000+ 685 
Scientific Journals and Articles... .......0:sccseeereeeees 692 
Societies and Academies :— 
American Mathematical Society: PROFESSOR 
F. N. Coie. Torrey Botanical Club: PROFES- 
sor E.S. BuRGEss. Science Club of the Univer- 
sity of Wisconsin: PROFESSOR WM. H. Hosss.. 693 
Discussion and Correspondence :— 
Geological Time: DR. JOHN M CLARKE. 
Newspaper Science: PROFESSOR JAMES H. 
JESSIE OT? odedcooooondooaédondeoacdoasebebenvanooodcecoBosdecd 695 
Notes on Inorganic Chemistry: J. L. H... «+ 696 
The November Meteors of 1899.....-000.0.0:2000005 sooo: ANZ 
Observations of the Total Solar Eclipse in 1900....... 698 
The Imperial Department of Agriculture in the West 
JERI oiceceesd dee cadanqdos cade nagtien oust ba eeaccoaouseuceOHeeaG 699 
The Proposed National University.......0..csscsesececees 700 
Resolutions of the Seventh International Geograph- 
(Kea) CRAG RGSS conccncnoceoduaconddcoa6 HooMEQdCOGeECOOROGOD 700 
Scientific Notes and News.......+.ececsccceeseeeseeensee ee 701 
University and Educational News..........0.csccseeeeeee 703 
MSS. intended for publication and books, etc., intended 
for review should be sent to the responsible e litor, Profes- 
sor J. McKeen Cattell, Garrison-on-Hudson, N. Y 
a 
SCIENTIFIC WORK OF THE LICK OBSER- 
VATORY.* 
INSTRUMENTS AND SCIENTIFIC WORK OF THE 
OBSERVERS. 
Tue nature of the scientific work under- 
taken at the Lick Observatory is determined 
by such considerations as the unusually fine 
atmospheric conditions which prevail here, 
the nature of the instrumental equipment, 
and the number of observers on the staff. 
The general policy of the Observatory is to 
carry on investigations which cannot be 
pursued to so great advantage elsewhere. 
Thus, comets which are bright enough to 
be easily seen at the leading observatories 
receive only occasional attention, while 
comets which, by reason of their faintness 
or unfavorable position, are difficult of ob- 
servation, are followed as closely as possible. 
Elaborate investigations dealing with large 
masses of data, and requiring a large force 
of computers, can only be undertaken by 
richly endowed observatories or by those 
which receive government assistance. The 
Lick Observatory makes the most of its 
natural advantages; and extended theo- 
retical researches, which can be made as 
well in a city as at a fine observing station, 
do not form a part of our general plan. 
As all the principal instruments of the 
* Extract from the forthcoming report of the Di- 
rector of the Lick Observatory to the President of the 
University of California, for the year ending Sept. 1, 
1899. 
