826 
ture of the past in this manner. The detail of 
the theory resolves itself into a question of ac- 
counting for the differences in the amount of 
carbonic acid present, all of which was carefully 
worked out and described by Dr. Hopkins. 
A plan for the federation of all local societies 
with kindred interests was favorably discussed. 
PHILIP F. SCHNEIDER, 
Corresponding Secretary. 
THE BACONIAN CLUB, STATE UNIVERSITY OF 
IOWA. 
THE following formal papers have been read 
during the current year : 
‘Forestry in Iowa’: Assistant Professor B. Shimek. 
‘The Extent and Significance of Food Adultera- 
tions’: Dr. E. W. Rockwood. 
‘The Geology and Scenery of the Pipestone Region ’: 
Professor Samuel Calvin. 
‘Some Features of the Architecture in Westminster 
Abbey’: Dr. J. G. Gilchrist. 
‘Jelly Fishes and their Relation to the Hydroid 
Colony ’: Professor C. C. Nutting. 
“Three Famous Problems in Geometry’: Dr. J. V. 
Westfall. 
“A Sketch of the Geology of Canada’: Mr. R. D. 
George. 
“The Role of Insects in the Spread of Diseases’: Dr. 
W. L. Bierring. 
“The Mechanics of a Harp String’: Professor 
Laenas G. Weld. 
“Concerning the Scope of University Training’: 
Professor Launcelot W. Andrews. 
‘The Psychology of Profanity ’: Professor G. T. W. 
Patrick. 
“The Lost Art of Wood Engraving’; Mr. John 
Springer. 
‘Some Features of the Road Problem’: Professor 
A. VY. Sims. 
“The Inscribed Polygon of Seventeen Sides ’: Assist- 
ant Professor Arthur G. Smith. 
‘The Sympathetic Relation of the Two Eyes’: Dr. 
F. J. Newberry. 
‘Measurement by Light Waves’: Mr. Charles F. 
Lorenz. 
‘The Pecuniary Economy of Foods’: Mr. A. M. 
Goettsch. 
“Twentieth Century Protoplasm ’: Professor T. H. 
Macbride. 
“The Psychological Theory of Organic Evolution’: 
Dr. H. Heath Bawden. 
‘Photographic Optics’: Professor A. A. Veblen. 
“The Modern Theory of Solution’: Dr. Carl von 
Ende. 
SCIENCE. 
[N. S. Vou. XIII. No. 334. 
‘Railroad Construction’: Mr. W. D. Weeks. 
‘The Causes of Blindness in Iowa’: Dr. L. W. 
Dean. 
Several of the above papers were original 
contributions to science and have been or will 
be published. 
Among the voluntary reports that have been 
given during the year the following deserve 
mention as first announcements: December 7, 
Professor C. C. Nutting reported on the dis- 
covery of a new method of reproduction among 
the hydro-meduse. The hydranth has been 
seen to proceed from the proboscis of the 
medusa, by a process of budding. December 
14th, Professor A. A. Veblen exhibited a new 
copying-camera table which is capable of all 
needed adjustments. January 4th, Dr. J. G. 
Gilchrist reported upon the successful treatment 
by trephining of three cases of epilepsy of long 
standing. February 15th, Professor Launcelot 
W. Andrews exhibited a model to illustrate the 
process of electrolysis. The same model illus- 
trates Faraday’s law of the decomposition of 
chemical substances. April 26th, Miss Mabel 
Williams reported the discovery of ‘ the area- 
volume illusion,’ according to which any dimen- 
sion of a surface seems larger than the corre- 
sponding line and one face of a volume seems 
larger than the corresponding plane surface. 
The speaker has demonstrated that the illusion 
is due to the presence of the judgment ‘ there 
is more of it,’ which exerts a subconscious 
influence in the perception. October 12th, the 
secretary exhibited a new ergograph, and April 
19th, new apparatus employed in the study of 
the voluntary control of the pitch of the voice 
in singing and speaking. C. EH. SEASHORE, 
Secretary. 
THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE OF ST. LOUIS. 
AT the meeting of the Academy of Science 
of St. Louis on the evening of May 6th, twenty- 
two persons present, Mr. C. F. Baker presented 
an embryological demonstration, including 
gross and microscopic specimens, covering the 
development of the chick during the first forty- 
eight hours of incubation, intended to illustrate 
a working course in embryology for high schools. 
One person was elected to active member- 
ship. WILLIAM TRELEASE, 
Recording Secretary. 
