PIENCE 
EpitoRIAL CommittrE: S. NEwcoms, Mathematics; R. 8S. WooDWARD, Mechanics; E. C. PICKERING, 
Astronomy; T. C. MENDENHALL, Physics; R. H. THURSTON, Engineering; IRA REMSEN, Chemistry; 
J. LE ContE, Geology; W. M. Davis, Physiography; O. C. MAxRsH, Paleontology; W. K. 
Brooks, C. HART MERRIAM, Zoology; S. H. SCUDDER, Entomology; N. L. BRITTON, 
Botany; HENRY F'. OSBORN, General Biology; H. P. BowpitcH, Physiology ; 
J. S. Bintines, Hygiene ; J. MCKEEN CATTELL, Psychology ; 
DANIEL G. BRINTON, J. W. POWELL, Anthropology. 
Fripay, Aueust 20, 1897. 
CONTENTS: 
Alfred Marshall Mayer: W. LE CoNTE STEVENS..261 
Address of the President of the British Association for 
the Advancement of Science: SiR JOHN EVANS..269 
Proceedings of the American Association for the Ad- 
vancement of Science: ASAPH HALL, JR......... 283 
Current Notes on Physiography :— 
The Athabasca Region ; Seneca Co., N. ¥.; Drain- 
age Map of Rhode Island; Popocatapetl and Ix- 
taccihuatl ; Wadis of Tripoli: W.M. DAyts....285 
Current Notes on Anthropology :— 
Studies in Mayan Hieroglyphs ; Primitive Decora- 
tive Art: D. G. BRINTON ..............ccese0eeeeenees 287 
Scientific Notes and News............0.0++ 
University and Educational News 
Discussion and Correspondence :— 
The Antecedent Colorado: MARKS. W. JEFFER- 
SON. Amphibia or Batrachia: Burt G.WILDER..293 
Scientific Literature :— 
MeCalley’s Report on the Valley Regions of Ala- 
(WHS “OR NivBr Uw ani bpescosauodaonsccnudbobocoodeLeen. 296 
MSS. intended for publication and books, etc., intended 
for review should be sent to the responsible editor, Prof. J. 
McKeen Cattell, Garrison-on-Hudson, N. Y. 
ALFRED MARSHALL MAYER. 
A man of science, whose work was unique 
in the domain which he had selected, and 
who will long be held in warm remembrance 
by a large circle of friends, has lately passed 
away. 
In 1784 there emigrated to America a 
young German, Christian Mayer, a mem- 
ber of an ancient family in the city of Ulm, 
in Wurtemberg. He made his home in 
Baltimore, where, by strong intelligence 
and well directed industry, he amassed a 
fortune. To his two sons, Charles F. and 
Brantz, he gave the best educational ad- 
vantages of the day. The former became 
a prominent lawyer, well known in the 
best social circles of Baltimore on account 
of his refinement and broad literary cul- 
ture, while the latter traveled and wrote 
extensively, his historical work, especially 
in connection with Mexico, being of high 
authority and acknowledged value. 
On the thirteenth day of November, 1836, 
a son was born to Charles F. Mayer. At 
an early age the boy exhibited great me- 
chanical ingenuity and a lively interest in 
the external world of nature. At St. 
Mary’s College, in Baltimore, he was af- 
forded all the usual facilities for an ele- 
mentary liberal education, and especially 
for classical training; but this did not suit 
his native bent. At the age of sixteen 
years he gave up the school room, and the 
following two years were spent chiefly in 
the workshop and the draughting room of 
a mechanical engineer. Here was abun- 
dant opportunity for acquiring familiarity 
with the use of tools and developing ma- 
nipulative skill. At the same time there 
was a continual stimulus to private study 
in connection with the daily application of 
the laws of physics and mechanics. This 
course of study in applied science was a 
natural precursor to the resumption of 
more systematic work, not in the class 
room, but in the laboratory.. A course of 
