January 17, 1896.] 



SCIENCE. 



77 



dissection on the groiind, however mistaken, 

 that it might be displeasing to God, than 

 for those who make it illegal by pandering 

 to the prejudices of the ignorant. Dr. John- 

 son's advice, 'free your mind from cant,' is 

 here singularly « propos. We cannot boast 

 of our civilization till this is remedied. 



Another subject which comes before us 

 for discussion is the important question of 

 anatomical nomenclature. German anato- 

 mists have recently adopted a report pre- 

 pared bj' some of their number, working in 

 company with representatives of other 

 European countries. It is for us to con- 

 sider whether this one can be looked upon 

 as accepted and whether it is acceptable ; 

 whether we can join hands with our foreign 

 colleagues, or whether we can devise an 

 American nomenclature which shall be so 

 much better that we can disregard the in- 

 convenience of a distinct standard. We 

 have had for years a committee on ana- 

 tomical nomenclature,with Professor Wilder 

 for secretary, who has given so large a part 

 of his busy life to this matter. We may 

 expect an important contribution to the 

 matter in the report of this committee. 



We are to hear also from the committee 

 appointed to consider the anatomical pe- 

 culiarities of the negro. I am not informed 

 what success has been reached in the difli- 

 cult task of collecting statistics. It is a 

 work of such anthropological importance 

 that it would be doubly to be regretted 

 should it come to naught. As has already 

 been said at our meetings, it is most proper 

 that this Society should collect all possible 

 information as to the anatomy not only of 

 the negro, but of such savage races as still 

 survive in North America, and of the ex- 

 tinct ones, whose bones can still be pro- 

 cured in large numbers. 



Thus, gentlemen, you see that this meet- 

 ing, besides the attractive list of papers, 

 has before it matters of no ordinary interest ' 

 and importance. I will no longer detain 



you from your work, firmly persuaded that 

 the action of this Association will be in the 

 interest of civilization and science. 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE COLLEC- 

 TION AND PRESERVATION OF ANA- 

 TOMICAL MATERIAL. 



To the Association of American Anatomists : 



The committee appointed at the meeting 

 of the Association to obtain information 

 with regard to the collection and preserva- 

 tion of anatomical material, and report 

 what in their opinion are the best means of 

 accomplishing these objects, begs respect- 

 fully to submit the following report : 



In order to make the work of the com- 

 mittee as comprehensive as possible and to 

 obtain information which would be of 

 service in arriving at definite conclusions 

 as to the best methods of accomplishing the 

 purposes in the resolution, the committee 

 deemed it desirable to send to the teachers 

 of anatomy, not only in this country, but 

 abroad, a circular letter, with the following 

 questions appended, and respectfully re- 

 quested answers to be made thereto as fully 

 as possible: 



1 . Is anatomical material obtained in ac- 

 cordance with legal enactment, wholly or in 

 part? 



2. Is there an Anatomical Law in your 

 State or country ? If so, please send a copy 

 to the chairman of the committee. Please 

 state whether the law is satisfactory in its 

 provisions, whether it is readily obeyed by 

 those upon whom duties are imposed by it, 

 and mention any improvements you would 

 suggest as to its requirements. 



.3. Is the material received in good con- 

 dition ? 



4. What disposal is ultimately made of 

 the remains? 



5. Please state what means are employed 

 to preserve anatomical material for the pur- 

 poses of dissection or operative surgery. If 

 injections of preservative fluids are used, 



