oC TE Nek 
EDITORIAL CommitTEE: S. NEwcoms, 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; HENrRy F. OsBorN, Paleontology ; W. K. 
Brooks, C. Hart MrERRIAM, Zoology; 8. H. ScuppER, Entomology; C. E. Bessry, N. L. 
Britton, Botany; C. S. Minot, Embryology, Histology; H. P. Bowpircu, Physiology; 
J. S. Brutrnes, Hygiene; J. MCKEEN CATTELL, Psychology; 
J. W. POWELL, Anthropology. 
Fripay, DEcEMBER 1, 1899. 
CONTENTS: 
The Astronomical and Astrophysical Society of 
America, 1: PROFESSOR EDWIN B. F Rost... 785 
Address of the President before the Section of Geog- 
raphy of the British Association for the Advance- 
ment of Science, II: SIR JOHN MURRAY........ 796 
Recent Progress in Oceanography: A LINDEN- 
TCOVEOH socoappapeqoonGeousEDse: SoadsoHadIOpoangESoUbeodONGONS 803 
Observations on Rhythmic Action: DR. E. W. 
SORTE DUR Be eacenordac sec seesceascosernancscen sects seie 807 
Geology at the British Association: PROFESSOR W. 
Vivo. Viy/MIEIES)) coocadoasopobanesBecsaco0d boscanpddoodadeunsecs 812 
Scientific Books :— 
The Mysterious Mammal of Patagonia: J. B. 
HATCHER. The Maryland Weather Service: R. 
DEC. WARD. Cohn on Indicators and Test 
M. T. B. Martin and Miiller’s zur 
Analyse der Unterschiedsempfindlichkeit: DR. 
R. S: WoopwortsH . Books Received 814 
Papers: 
General. 
Notes on Inorganic Chemistry : 
Technical University Degrees: PROFESSOR R. H. 
PIPER SLO Niecoteatcescasecsertecsactacdsrasecesceereececet 820 
LITT) eborn0 boo DEbCSEEEEH IAG | POSE OOROUGHDOA BOSDORO EC NC EDGED 821 
Scientific Notes and News.......1..00ssecseceneeeeeneeee ee 821 
University and Educational News..........0....0.ceceeee 824 
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 ASTRONOMICAL AND ASTROPHYSICAL 
SOCIETY OF AMERICA. 
I. 
Tue third conference of Astronomers and 
Astrophysicists was held at the Yerkes Ob- 
servatory, in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, on 
September 6, 7 and 8, 1899, in accordance 
with arrangements made by a committee 
appointed at the second conference, held at 
Harvard College Observatory in August of 
last year. This committee, consisting of 
Professors Newcomb, Pickering, Morley, 
Comstock and Hale, had also been author- 
ized to prepare a constitution and arrange 
for the organization of a permanent society. 
At the second session of the conference the 
constitution was adopted, substantially as 
presented by the committee, and at the last 
session, on September 8th, the organization 
was completed with the election of the fol- 
lowing officers : 
President, Simon Newcomb; Vice-Pres- 
idents, C. A. Young, G. E. Hale; Secre- 
tary, G. C. Comstock; Treasurer, C. L. 
Doolittle ; Councilors, for two years, E. C. 
Pickering, J. HE. Keeler; Councilors, for 
one year, E. W. Morley, Ormond Stone. 
The undersigned will temporarily act as 
Secretary. 
At asubsequent meeting of the Council 
by-laws were adopted. It was further voted 
that a report of the proceedings should be 
furnished for publication in Scrence, to- 
