SCIENCE 
EDITORIAL ComMiITTEE: S. NEwcoms, Mathematics; R. S. WoopwARD, Mechanics; E. C. PICKERING, 
Astronomy; T. C. MENDENHALL, Physics; R. H. THuRsToN, Engineering; IRA REMSEN, Chemistry; 
J. LE ContTE, Geology; W. M. Davis, Physiography; HENRY F. OSBORN, Paleontology ; W. K. 
Brooks, C. HART MERRIAM, Zoology; 8. H. ScuDDER, Entomology; C. E. BEssEy, N. L. 
BRITTON, Botany; C. 8S. Minor, Embryology, Histology; H. P. BowpitrcH, Physiology; 
J. S. Brutrnes, Hygiene; J. MCKEEN CATTELL, Psychology; 
J. W. POWELL, Anthropology. 
Fripay, NoveMBer 24, 1899. 
CONTENTS: 
Report on the Naval Observatory. ..........cscceeceeeeees 745 
Report of the Board of Visitors to the U. S. Naval 
Observatory: Wm. E. CHANDLER, A. G. DAY- 
TON, EDWARD C. PICKERING, GEO. C. Com- 
STOCK, GEORGE E. HALE.................0.ceese eee 747 
Address of the President of the Geographical Section 
of the British Association, 1: SiR JOHN MURRAY. 751 
The Early Presidents of the American Association, 
IV. (with plate): Dr. MARcuUS BENJAMIN... 759 
The Sense of Hearing in Ants: LE Roy D. 
\NVIIEID) sconccassacnn ono nbeqoooenconopgane sobooodododenoouNdgdS 766 
Are the Trees Advancing or Retreating upon the 
Nebraska Plains: PROFESSOR CHARLES E. 
Preliminary Note on New Meteorites from Allegan, 
Michigan and Mart, Texas: DR. GEORGE P. 
IDET RIOT; pcoonpoocenpoaonogosnonnSOSsboobSnDoNSapGOOSNOOD 770 
Permanent Preparations in Hermetically Sealed 
Tubes: PROFESSOR HENRY F. NACHTRIEB... 771 
Scientific Books :— 
Smith on Methods of Knowledge: PROFESSOR R. 
M. WENLEY. Hormann on Die Kontinwitat 
der Atomverkettung: PROFESSOR E. A. AN- 
DREWS. Newton’s Dictionary of Birds: F. A. L. 
SBOOKSHRECEUVED cnne-neeceeneaceese cs hocesonebsondontoonebde 772 
Scientific Journals and Articles........200rcceeeeeeeeeees 775 
Societies and Academies :— 
The National Academy of Sciences. The Biological 
Society of Washington: Dr. O. F. Coox. The 
Philosophical Society of Washington: EE. D. 
TARR IIR TecoaddecooonsabddoncooospehdnpcoseoobatScosoonoUOHe 776 
Discussion and Correspondence :— 
The Need for a Classification of Prehistoric Imple- 
ments : PROFESSOR WARREN K. MOOREHEAD.. 777 
Notes on Inorganic Chemistry : 
Current Notes on Meteorology :— 
International Meteorological Committee ; The Texas 
Floods of June 27 to July 15 ; Volcanic Smoke and 
the Prevailing Winds ; Tornado Power: R. DEC. 
AW NIEID) siccooscocanagsesanocoodeosavcoundsopgc0osodcba5b0n—400 779 
Report of the President of Columbia University....... 780 
Scientific Notes and News a0 <0 
University and Educational News 
MSS. intended for publication and books, etc., intended 
for review should be sent to the responsible editor, Profes- 
gor J. McKeen Cattell, Garrison-on-Hudson, N. Y 
REPORT ON THE NAVAL OBSERVATORY. 
WE print on another page of our present 
issue the report of the Board of Visitors to 
the Naval Observatory, made on October 
2d. Most astronomers will, we believe, 
agree with us that the work of the Board 
has been well done in several vital points. 
It is true that many details are left to be 
settled and much friction may be produced 
But, in 
any case, much will have been gained. 
in putting the plan into operation. 
The good features of the report are these: 
We have for the first time what may be 
called an official admission that the Ob- 
servatory must be reorganized on a civilian 
basis, made under such auspices and in 
such a way as to command attention. In 
stating the case all disagreeable details are 
avoided and, so far as possible, conclusions 
are intimated rather than expressed. Yet 
every point is so stated that no mistake of 
interpretation by the careful reader is pos- 
sible. 
so agreeable to entertain, that, however 
The optimistic impression always 
weak may have been the administration 
from time to time in the past, it is now 
all right, is guarded against by stating 
that the scope of the remarks is not limited 
to the present time, but covers almost the 
