SCIENCE 
A WEEKLY JOURNAL DEVOTED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE, PUBLISHING THE 
OFFICIAL NOTICES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION 
FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. 
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE: S. NEWwcomB, Mathematics; R. S. WooDWARD, Mechanics; E. C. PICKERING, 
Astronomy ; T. C. MENDENHALL, Physics ; R. H. THuRSTON, Engineering ; IRA REMSEN, Chemistry ; 
JosEPH LE ConTE, Geology ; W. M. Davis, Physiography ; HENRY F. OsBoRN, Paleontology ; 
W. K. Brooks, C. HART MERRIAM, Zoology ; S. H. ScuDDER, Entomology ; C. E. BEssEy, 
N. L. Brirron, Botany; C. S. Minot, Embryology, Histology ; H. P. BowpitcH, 
Physiology; J. S. BILLINGs, 
Hygiene ; 
WILLIAM H. WELCH, Pathology ; 
J. MCKEEN CATTELL, Psychology ; J. W. PowELL, Anthropology. 
Fripay, APRIL 12, 1901. 
CONTENTS : 
George M. Dawson (with plate): PROFESSOR 
TaAagize 1D), Joy Cho scogncasesas pboenpenoncoconabH660000 561 
State Natural History Surveys: PROFESSOR KE. A. 
BIRGE, PROFESSOR H. F. NACHTRIEB, PRO- 
FESSOR FRANK SMITH.......0+...0cc000 coseeecseceees 563 
The Training of an Electrochemist: PROFESSOR 
TatAuiny? (Ch UIST) cocsecasnenconsnacne oossdoo0 900500005 569 
Appropriations for the U. S. Department of Agri- 
culture: DR. E. W. ALLEN..........00cceeseeees eee 572 
The Reduction to Absurdity of the Ordinary Treat- 
ment of the Syllogism: CHRISTINE LADD 
JOR /AISTECTETIT oo ocecadocoonqnnos 950 onpoaocooanoponD pBGODONNDNL0 574 
Amerivan Chemical Society..........2cssceeeee enseeceree 576 
Scientific Books :— 
Renault sur quelques microorganismes des coim- 
bustidles fossiles : PROFESSOR LESTER F. WARD. 
Ball’s Elements of Astronomy : DR. F. W. VERY. 
General. Books Received........ 
Scientific Journals and Articles. 
Societies and Academies :— 
The Academy of Science of St. Lowis: PROFESSOR 
WILLIAM TRELEASE. Geological Society of 
Washington: Dr. F. L. RANSOME AND DAVID 
WHITE. Biological Society of Washington: F. 
A. Lucas. Torrey Botanical Club: PROFESSOR 
EDWARD E. Burasss. Science Club of North- 
western University: DR. HORACE M. SNYDER. 
Discussion and Correspondence :— 
The Application of Precedence of Place in Nomen- 
clature: PROFESSOR N. L. BRITTON. Clayton’s 
Eclipse Cyclone and the Diurnal Cyclones: DR. 
FRANK H. BiaELow. The Reversal of the 
Photographic Image by Continued Action of Light. 
ROMYN HITCHCOCK. .......-...0ceceesceneerrecseoeeees 588 
Shorter Articles :— 
A New Ovcurrence of Cassiterite in Alaska: AL- 
FRED H. Brooks. Notes on Parasites: DR. CH. 
VWYARIDIBIL Tis (SID TE TSIS onoonnpoaascononnoes0b9cq90s0n00 500060 593 
Amateurism and Mental Inertia in Public Service: 
PROFESSOR R. H. THURSTON........-000.000010000 
Museum Methods Abroad: F. A. L.... Be 
Lhe Scientific Alliance of New York 
Membership in the National Academy of Sciences... 
Svientifie Notes and News............-- 
University and Educational News 
584 
GEORGE M. DAWSON. 
By the death of Dr. G. M. Dawson, the 
Dominion of Canada loses one of her ablest 
and most distinguished men of science and 
one whose loss will be felt for many years 
to come. George Mercer Dawson was the 
eldest son of the late Sir William Dawson 
and was born at Pictou, Nova Scotia, on 
August 1, 1849. In 1855, his father, hav- 
ing received the appointment as Principal 
of McGill College, left Nova Scotia and 
came to live in Montreal. The wide col- 
lege grounds, lying then on the outskirts of 
the town and backed by Mount Royal, at 
that time covered with its original forest 
growth, formed an environment full of in- 
terest and delight to the boy, whose mind 
turned to the study of nature from the first, 
a study which was made doubly fascinating 
in his case by his father, who was always 
ready to encourage him in his work, explain 
his difficulties and talk with him as a friend. 
At the age of ten he entered the High 
School at Montreal, where he took a high 
place among the boys of his class. There 
were, however, at that time, near what is 
now the center of the city of Montreal, a 
number of ponds in which the boys from 
the High School used to go rafting at lunch 
hour. On one of these occasions he re- 
ceived a drenching and remained in his 
damp clothes through the afternoon ; a chill 
was induced, which led to spinal trouble, 
