184 
as many papers as are annually read before 
It is evident that the 
Association cannot represent the whole 
the Association. 
of American science while such important 
developments are ignored. Only a small 
percentage of the members of these socie- 
ties are fellows of the Association. 
Indeed, we must admit that a large pro- 
portion of those most actively engaged in 
advancing science in America do not attend 
the annual meetings, and many are not 
even fellows of the Association. We may 
appeal to the public spirit of these men of 
science and probably with success. It 
would, however, be far better to make the 
meetings so fruitful that each would like to 
attend, and, if possible, to give those unable 
to attend some return for membership in 
addition to the annual volume of proceed- 
should be an 
The 
fellows should not be elected exclusively 
ings. Election as fellow 
honor that no one would decline. 
from the members, but those who are doing 
the most for the advancement of science in 
America should be the fellows of the Asso- 
ciation. It would probably be desirable to 
limit the number of fellows to one thousand 
and to fill vacancies each year as they oc- 
eur. As soon as the fellows of the Associ- 
ation were acknowledged to be the thous- 
and leading men of science in America, 
election would. be an honor only less in 
degree than election to membership in the 
In this 
case an added interest would be given to 
With the National 
Academy as the ‘upper house’ and the 
National Academy of Sciences. 
the annual meetings. 
American Association the ‘lower house’ 
of American science a great improvement 
SCIENCE: 
[N.S. Von. VI. No. 136. 
in organization would be effected. It would 
be a natural courtesy for the Academy to 
elect its members from the Association and 
for the Association to elect its President 
from the Academy. We may view with 
great satisfaction the fact that the Presi- 
dent of the National Academy is this year 
President of the Association. 
In conclusion, we may once more urge 
the importance of attending the Detroit 
meeting of the Association and of proceed- 
ing thence to Toronto. Those taking part 
in these meetings will receive a stimulus 
in scientific activity, and by making the 
meetings noteworthy will contribute greatly 
to the advancement of science in America. 
Questions affecting the future of the As- 
sociation will be considered at Detroit, 
and arrangements will be made for ade- 
quately celebrating the fiftieth anniversary 
of the Association. There is no doubt but 
that during the next fifty years science 
will be the leading factor in the progress 
of the world, and probably more depends 
on America than on any other country. 
The American Association for the Advance- 
ment of Science has great opportunities 
and great responsibilities. 
THE INTERNATIONAL CATALOGUE OF SCIEN- 
TIFIC LITERATURE. 
Tur International Bibliographical Con- 
ference held in London, July 14-17, 1896, 
was the most important step ever taken 
toward international cooperation in scien- 
tific and bibliographical work. This ac- 
count of the meeting is derived, unfortu- 
nately, not from personal knowledge, as I 
was not present. I have had, to aid me in 
its preparation, the two official publications 
