100 



SCIENCE. 



[N. S. Vol. XIX. No. 472. 



all above 200 (thallinni riot reported on),* 

 exhibit radio-active properties, are doubt- 

 less closely associated and have to do with 

 the eventual composition of matter. I 

 have unverified observations which go to 

 show the existence of at least one element 

 with a very high atomic weight. If it be 

 confirmed, then we have them now or they 

 are making, and probably breaking up, as 

 shown by that marvelous class of elements 

 in the discovery of which the Curies have 

 been pioneers. 



If our ideas that all known elements 

 come from some primordial material be- 

 true, then it stands to reason that we are 

 coming in time, perhaps, to that fixed 

 thing, a frozen ether, the fifth state of mat- 

 ter. I may make use of dangerous analogy 

 and liken our knoAvn elements, arranged in 

 a perfected natural system, to the visible 

 matei'ial spectrum, while electrons, etc.. 

 constitute the ultra-violet and cosmyle 

 composes the infra-red, either one of the 

 latter by proper conditions being convert- 

 ible into perceptible elemental matter. No 

 positive evidence supports these ideas, but 

 I like to fancy scientific endeavor as the 

 sea— calm and serene, supporting and mir- 

 roring that which is below it, bearing that 

 which is upon it, reaching to and reflecting 

 that which is above it, moving all the 

 Avhile; yet, torn and rent at times by con- 

 flict from without and contest within, it 

 runs; it beats against the shores of the 

 unknown, making rapid progress here, 

 meeting stubborn resistance there, com- 

 passing it, to destroy but to rebuild else- 

 where; and the existence of those Avithin 

 it ! ' Like that of Paul, our life should be 

 a consecrated unrest.' 



Charles Baskeevtlle. 



* See the exquisite paper by Madame Curie on 

 ' Radioactive Substances,' also ' Radio-active Lead,' 

 Hofmann and-Strauss, Beriehte, 34, 3033, Pellini 

 {loo. cit.) on 'Radio-active Tellurium'; Strutt, 

 Phil. Mag., 6, 113, Elster and Geitel, Giesel, 

 Marckwald, etc., etc. 



MEETINGS OF AFFILIATED SCIENTIFIC 

 SOCIETIES AT PHILADELPHIA. 



The Association of American Anato- 

 mists, the Society of American Bactei'iolo- 

 gists, the Society for Plant Morphology and 

 Physiology, the American Physiological 

 Society, the American Society of Zoolo- 

 gists (Eastern Branch), the American So- 

 ciety of Vertebrate Paleontologists, met in 

 Philadelphia, Pa., December 28-31, 1903. 

 All of these societies except the last, which 

 was organized only one year ago, have 

 heretofore been affiliated with the Amer- 

 ican Society of Naturalists, and, with the 

 exception of the annual discussion and 

 dinner which the Society of Naturalists 

 holds, the meetings this year were wholly 

 similar to those which have been held by 

 these societies during the past ten or twelve 

 years. 



On Monday evening there were informal 

 meetings of the members of the various so- 

 cieties. The Society for Plant Morphology 

 and Physiology was given a reception at 

 Biological Hall, University of Pennsyl- 

 vania; the American Physiological Society 

 held a smoker at the Hotel Walton, while 

 the other societies held smokers at the 

 ' Rathskellar. ' 



Tuesday morning and afternoon, sessions 

 of all the societies were held at the Univer- 

 sity of Pennsylvania, and all the societies 

 except the physiologists held morning and 

 afternoon sessions there on Wednesday also. 

 The Physiological Society met on Wednes- 

 day at Jefferson Medical College. Lunch- 

 eon was served by the University of Penn- 

 sylvania to all the societies on Tuesday and 

 to all except the physiologists on Wednes- 

 day; on this day the latter society was en- 

 tertained at luncheon at the Philadelphia 

 Club. 



Tuesday evening all the societies were 

 the guests of the local committee at a 

 smoker at the University Club. 



Wednesday evening a lecture was given 



