760 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XLII. No. 1091 



of the Physical Sciences, an Introduction to 

 the History of Science, and a probable fourth 

 volume on the Applications of Science. 



It has often been emphasized that the his- 

 tory of science can not be taught because of its 

 encyclopedic extent. This objection can be 

 overruled. It is true that we can not all be a 

 Leibnitz, or possess minds of the type of his; 

 however, in our modern methods of training or 

 in specialized education, we may at least ob- 

 tain the broadest viewpoint possible — through 

 historical methods and their perspective, and 

 withal, historical inspiration.^^ The principles 

 of history have a criterion based upon scien- 

 tific methods, just like any other subject of 

 study intended for philosophical interpreta- 

 tion. This must be recognized by the future 

 historian of science. 



And when the historian of science is fully 

 imbued with the " Geist und Leitmotiv of 

 human learning," then, and only then, can the 

 history of science be of value, and be possessed 

 of a future. The final message of the history 

 of science is to show the high plane of sci- 

 ence — that which has given life, stability, 

 truth and wealth — in its universal activities 

 and its established international character as 

 the arbiter of the future of man and of peace. 



BIBLIOGEAPHT 



Mann, Dr. C. E., "The History of Science — An 

 Interpretation," Pop. Sci. Monthly, "Vol. 72, 

 1908, pp. 313 ff. 



Mead, Dr. G. H., "The Teaching of Science in 

 Colleges," ScnsNCE, N. S., Vol. XXIV., 1906, 

 pp. 390-397. 



Libby, Dr. W., "The History of Science," Sci- 

 ence, N. S., Vol. XL., 1914, pp. 670-673. 



Carmiehael, Professor E. D., "The Outlook of 

 Science," Science, N. S., Vol. XL., 1914, pp. 

 833-840. 



True, Professor A. C, "The Eelation of the Col- 

 lege Curriculum to Human Life and Work," 

 School and Society, Vol. I., 1915 (June 19), 

 No. 25. 



Twiss, Professor G. E., "Present Tendencies in 

 Science Teaching," School and Society, Vol. I., 

 1915 (March 13 and 20), Nos. 11, 12. 

 "See "Outlines of the Principles of History," 



by Johann G. Droysen (1897), trans, by E. B. 



Andrews, pp. 9-58. 



Woodhull, Dr. J. F., "Science for Culture," 

 School Review, Vol. XV., 1907 (February). 



Frederick E. Brasch 

 Stanford Univeesitt, 

 California 



THE COMMITTEE ON POLICY OF THE 



AMEBICAN ASSOCIATION FOB TEE 



ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE 



The committee met at 5 p.m., on November 

 15, in the room of the ISTew York Academy of 

 Sciences, American Museum of ISTatural His- 

 tory, Ifew York City (continued later at the 

 Hotel Majestic), with Messrs. Pickering, 

 Paton, Woodward, Noyes, Fairchild, Cattell 

 and Howard present. 



The preliminary announcement and arrange- 

 ments for the Columbus raeeting were con- 

 sidered. It was recom m ended that public ad- 

 dresses be worded so as not to allude to the 

 present war in a way which might give offense. 

 Dr. W. W. Campbell, president of the associa- 

 tion, was appointed as delegate and Dr. L. O. 

 Howard, permanent secretary, as alternate to 

 the Second Pan-American Scientific Congress. 

 The question of the relation of the association 

 to the congress was referred to a special com- 

 mittee consisting of Messrs. Woodward, 

 Howard and Humphreys. 



Mr. Pickering submitted a report of progress 

 for the committee on expert testimony. 



Mr. Woodward submitted a report on the 

 Coburn bequest. 



Other matters considered by the committee 

 and its recommendations will be submitted 

 to the council at the Columbus meeting of the 

 association. 



At 9.30 P.M. the committee adjourned. 

 L. O. Howard, 



Secretary 



SCIENTIFIC NOTES AND NEWS 

 As was stated in Science last week, the 

 Nobel prize in chemistry for 1914 has been 

 awarded to Professor Theodore William Eich- 

 ards, of Harvard University, and the prize in 

 physics to Professor Max von Laue, of Frank- 

 fort-on-Main, for his work on the diffraction 

 of rays in crystals. The prize in medicine 

 has been awarded to Dr. Eobert Barany, of 



