Jantjaby 26, 1906.] 



SCIENCE. 



125 



already producing noteworthy results and 

 need only the energetic application of pa- 

 tience and persistence to insure contribu- 

 tions to knoAvledge of prime importance. 



Biological Investigations. 

 The observational and experimental work 

 undertaken in animal and plant biology is 

 of a fundamental character, and is con- 

 templated, it is thought, according to a 

 scale adec^uate for the solution of the very 

 difficult problems presented. The system- 

 atic study of these for a series of years can 

 hardly fail to yield results of signal prac- 

 tical and theoretical value. Several publi- 

 cations with reference to these investiga- 

 tions have already been issued and others 

 will soon be ready for publication. The 

 advantages for research in botany and zool- 

 ogy afforded by our biological stations are 

 attracting the attention and stimulating the 

 activity of eminent investigators. Several 

 of the leading zoologists of America availed 

 themselves during the past summer of the 

 facilities for the study of marine fauna 

 afforded by the laboratory at Tortugas, Fla. 

 Similar use has been made of the oppor- 

 tunities presented by the station at Cold 

 Spring Harbor, N. Y. ; while the Desert 

 Botanical Laboratory, by reason of the 

 novelty and the probable ecbnomie impor- 

 tance of its work, is an establishment of 

 profound interest alike to the scientific and 

 to the general public. 



Horticultural Experiments. 

 The horticultural experiments and the 

 remarkable achievements of Mr. Luther 

 Burbank are well known in a popular way, 

 though it must be said that the more im- 

 portant aspects of his work remain yet to 

 be interpreted to men of science as well as 

 to the interested public. Owing to the im- 

 practicability, during the past year, of 

 securing the services of a trained biologist, 

 the preparation of a scientific account of 

 the ways, means, methods and results of 



Mr. Burbank 's work has been delayed. He 

 has continued his experiments, however, as 

 related in his report, and it is hoped that 

 the necessary arrangements for securing 

 the scientific account of his work contem- 

 plated by the board of trustees will not be 

 long deferred. Little short of five years 

 will be required for this work if it is done 

 thoroughly well. 



Department of Economics and' Sociology. 

 As will be seen from the report of Dr. 

 Wright, the department of economics and 

 sociology has undertaken a comprehensive 

 project which should bring, in a few years, 

 extensive contributions to the social and 

 economic history of the United States, and 

 probably also equally important data for a 

 forecast of American social and economic 

 development. The goal of science is ca- 

 pacity for prediction, and although eco- 

 nomic and social science are still sometimes 

 regarded as somewhat 'dismal' in com- 

 parison with the older science of astronomy, 

 for example, they are plainly destined to 

 play an increasingly important role in the 

 progress of mankind. 



Department of Historical Research. 

 The department of historical research, 

 which was one of the first to be organized 

 under the auspices of the institution, has 

 attained an assured position of prominence 

 and approval in the historical world. 

 Under the energetic direction of Professor 

 Andrew C. McLaughlin, this department 

 has stimulated historical research to a note- 

 worthy degree. The publications issued 

 under his editorship have been widely read 

 by students and by investigators, and the 

 demand for historical papers and docu- 

 ments issued and discovered by the depart- 

 ment is constantly increasing. It is with 

 regret that the executive committee has 

 been called upon to accept the resignation 

 of Professor McLaughlin, to take effect at 

 the end of the current fiscal year. His re- 



