SCIE 
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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; HENRY F. OsBoRN, Paleontology ; W. K. 
Brooks, C. HART MERRIAM, Zoology; S. H. ScuppER, Entomology; C. E. Bessey, N. L. 
BRITTON, Botany; C. S. Minor, Embryology, Histology; H. P. BowpitcH, Physiology; 
J. 8. Brutinas, Hygiene; J. MCKEEN CATTELL, Psychology; 
J. W. PowELL, Anthropology. 
Fripay, DECEMBER 8, 1899. 
CONTENTS: 
The Highest Aim of the Physicist: PROFESSOR 
TERR NIRS VePA EO WAGAIND saveclsmccecilarcaacewsiorssieiecees 825 
Cruise of the Albatross: DR. A. AGASSIZ........... 833 
The Astronomical and Astrophysical Society of 
America, IL: PROFESSOR EDWIN B. Frost.... 841 
American Ornithologists’ Union: JOHN H. SAGE. 849 
Demonstrating the Curve of the Base Ball in the Lec- 
ture Room: PROFESSOR R. W. WOOD............ 851 
The Annual Report of the Secretary of Agriculture.. 851 
Scientific Books :-— 
Engelbrecht on Die Landbauzonen der aussertro- 
pischen Linder: PROFESSOR E. W. HILGARD. 
Coulter on Plant Relations : PROFESSOR CHARLES 
1B IBTOSISVENTS cocdeaoooeemacodgao;oonodoREadagdaNEebOU HANNO 856 
Scientific Journals and Articles.........sc0cceceeeeeeeeees 858 
Societies and Academies :— 
The New York Chemical Society: 
Smith, Dk. DURAND WOODMAN. The Wash- 
ington Botanical Club: DR. CHARLES L. PoL- 
10/020) poaKe Joopobsd puooeac9nnODoSonDaRdboabaDvRecHouS0bsq0008 859 
Discussion and Correspondence :— 
(Ob JAgasosdebocoonasede 860 
Dr. E. E. 
The Science of Meteorology : 
Notes on Physics :— 
The Magnetization of Long Iron Bars; The Ve- 
locity of the Charged Air ; Particles Near a Dis- 
charging Metal Point; The Respiration Calori- 
meter at Middletown, Conn.; The Compensated 
Aliterpator? XWifo Shy IBkcocsononsdocécananedeboopbensdco: 860 
Notes on Inorganic Chemistry: J. L. H. 861 
Seientific Notes and News........-.s0.cseeseaee 862 
University and Educational News.............c0c0e0e0e 864 
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 HIGHEST AIM OF THE PHYSICIST.* 
GENTLEMEN AND FELLOW PHysIcIsts oF 
America: We meet to day on an occa- 
sion which marks an epoch in the history 
of physics in America; may the future 
show that it also marks an epoch in the 
history of the science which this Soci- 
ety is organized to cultivate! For we 
meet herein the interest of a science which 
above all sciences deals with the foundation 
of the Universe, with the constitution of 
matter from which everything in the Uni- 
verse is made and with the ether of space 
by which alone the various portions of mat- 
ter forming the Universe affect each other 
even at such distances as we may never ex- 
pect to traverse, whatever the progress of. 
our science in the future. 
We, who have devoted our lives to the 
solution of problems connected with physics, 
now meet together to help each other and 
to forward the interests of the subject which 
we love. A subject which appeals most 
strongly to the better instincts of our na- 
ture and the problems of which tax our 
minds to the limit of their capacity and 
suggest the grandest and noblest ideas of 
which they are capable. 
In a country where the doctrine of the 
equal rights of man has been distorted to 
mean the equality of man in other respects, 
* Address delivered to the Physical Society of 
America by the President, at its meeting in New 
York, October 28, 1899. 
