SCIENCE 
' EpIToRIAL CommittEE: S. NeEwcoms, Mathematics; R. 8S. WooDWARD, Mechanics; E. C. PICKERING, 
Astronomy; T. C. MENDENHALL, Physics; R. H. THuRSTON, Engineering; IRA REMSEN, Chemistry; 
J. Lz Conte, Geology; W. M. DAvis, Physiography; O. C. MARsH, Paleontology; W. K. 
Brooks, C. HART MERRIAM, Zoology; S. H. SCUDDER, Entomology; N. L. Brirron, 
Botany; Henry F. OsBoRN, General Biology; H. P. Bowpitcu, Physiology; 
J. S. Binuines, Hygiene; J. MCKEEN CATTELL, Psychology ; 
DANIEL G. BRINTON, J. W. POWELL, Anthropology. 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1897. 
CONTENTS: 
The Meetings of the American and British Associations 
for the Advancement of Science..........0.0.0sereeeees 377 
International Amenities at Detroit and Toronto: W 
J) MIGEHBIR jcoccosnancosnotina: concopnoconacnnonso.oonGDSaDoNN 380 
The Spread of Land Species by the Agency of Man, 
with Especial Reference to Insects: L. O. HOWARD.382 
Phylogeny and Taxonomy of the Angiosperms: 
CHARLES H. BESSEY..........0..cccesseccasssesnsseerers 398 
Botanical Society of America: C. R. BARNES...... 401 
The International Mathematical Congress: GEORGE 
BRUCE HALSTED <2 2. ..c..cc0sccnsenteccececaseearcasscuss 402 
Current Notes on Anthropology :— 
New Museum Publication; Botany of the Kla- 
TOCAISS AD, (Cts LBSPIOX NOI coscscpeneccouanscnacqacossend 403 
Notes on Inorganic Chemistry: J. L. H............... 404 
Scientific Notes and News .............cseeeseveesesceseeeses 405 
University and Educational News. .........+++esecesecees 408 
Discussion and Correspondence :— 
Observations on the Passage of Migrating Birds 
Across the Lunar Disk on the Nights of September 
23d and 24th, 1896: FRANK W. VERY........... 409 
Scientific Literature :— 
Year Book of the United States Department of Ag- 
riculture: T. D. A. COCKERELL...............00000- 411 
MSS. intended for publication and books, ete., intended 
for review should be sent to the responsible editor, Prof. J. 
McKeen Cattell, Garrison-on-Hudson, N. Y. 
THE MEETINGS OF THE AMERICAN AND 
BRITISH ASSOCIATIONS FOR THE AD- 
VANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. 
Tue current progress of science and the 
activity of scientific thought in the civiliza- 
tion of the present day have been signalized 
in a noteworthy manner by the meetings of 
the American and British Associations for 
the Advancement of Science, and of kin- 
dred societies, held recently at Detroit and 
Toronto. As might have been expected, 
the meeting of the American Association 
at Detroit and that of the British Associa- 
tion at Toronto both fell somewhat short of 
the average numbers in attendance; but, 
on the other hand, both meetings were 
above the average in the number and qual- 
ity of the addresses and papers presented 
and in the enthusiastic interest of the par- 
The meetings of the affiliated 
societies were marked likewise by the high 
ticipants. 
order of the papers read and by the pro- 
found interest of the discussions and con- 
ferences of the members and foreign guests 
in attendance. To one present at these 
meetings and cognizant of the zeal, fidelity 
and good cheer of the delegates assembled, 
it would hardly appear that scientific men 
are seriously disturbed by those publicists 
who think that science will soon overreach 
itself, if it has not already fallen into 
‘pankruptey.’ Nor could one who heard a 
number of the scholarly addresses deliv- 
ered at these meetings, addresses remark- 
able for their literary finish as well as for 
the value of their contents, entertain the 
scholastic fear that the perfume of the 
