SCIENCE 
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE: S. NEwcomsB, Mathematics; R. S. WoopWARD, 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. MARsH, Paleontology; W. K. Brooxs, 
C. HART MERRIAM, Zoology; S. H. ScuDDER, Entomology; C. E. Brssry, N. L. Brirron, 
Botany; HENRY F. OsBoRN, General Biology; C. S. Minor, Embryology, Histology; 
H. P. BowpitcuH, Physiology; J. S. BrLnines, Hygiene; J. McCKEEN CATTELL, 
Psychology; DANIEL G. BRINTON, J. W. POWELL, Anthropology. 
Fripay, NoveMBER 12, 1897. 
CONTENTS: 
Aspects of American Astronomy: S. NEWCOMB.....709 
The Yerkes Observatory: EDWIN B. FROST......... 721 
The Alumni Biological Expedition of New York Uni- 
versity to the Bermudas: CHARLES L. BRISTOL..724 
New Diamond Find in the Transvaal: GEORGE F. 
Current Notes on Physiography :— 
The Great Lakes; The Lava Plateau of Southeast- 
ern Washington: Handbook of Canada: W.M. 
TAN AS occa ccaonosadnbnocoostoccecuccononenceoqacn6d Soodocoone 727 
Current Notes on Anthropology :-— 
The Ancient Murmex; The Gods of the Mayas; 
Origin and Import of the Totem: D.G. BRINTON.728 
Notes on Inorganic Chemistry: J. L. H............00+ 729 
Scientific Notes and News :-— 
The American Society of Naturalists ; General.....731 
University and Educational News. .......1+cs0sscsseeeeees 736 
Discussion and Correspondence :— 
How to Avoid the Dangers of Formalin: F. C. 
KENYON. Professor Cattell’s Review of ‘ Sight :’ 
JOSEPH LE ConTE, J. McKEEN CATTELL. A 
Simple Method of Combining the Colors: F. W. 
IIGINIATRrmeeenseneesecnecsactreeccaste tecrecteeeretcr sees 737 
Scientific Literature :— 
Report of Explorations in the Labrador Peninsula : 
FRANK D. ADAMS. Letowrneau’s L’ Evolution de 
commerce dans les diverses races humaines: D. G. 
BRINTON. Cory on Shore Birds of North Amer- 
ica ;- Ducks, Geese and Swans of North America: 
C.H.M. 4H. Henriet on Les gaz de Vatmosphere ; 
Rayleigh and Ramsay on Argon; Duclaua on At- 
mospheric Actinometry: W. W. R.......:scceeeceeees 740 
Societies and Academies :— 
The Kansas Academy of Science........1.00-s0seseerees 744 
IR(GID) TEXTE) oceapecsoncoconoosensoacecebsenoaooeeacgaose2eaDN00e~ 744 
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. 
ASPECTS OF AMERICAN ASTRONOMY.* 
THE University of Chicago yesterday 
accepted one of the most munificent gifts 
ever made for the promotion of any single 
science, and with appropriate ceremonies 
dedicated it to the increase of our knowl- 
edge of the heavenly bodies. The Presi- 
dent of your University has done me the 
honor of inviting me to supplement what 
was said on that occasion by some remarks 
of a more general nature. 
One is naturally disposed to say first 
what is uppermost in his mind. At the 
present moment this will naturally be the 
general impression made by what has been 
seen and heard. The ceremonies were at- 
tended not only by a remarkable delega- 
tion of cititizens, but by a number of visit- 
ing astronomers, which seems large when 
we consider that the profession itself is not 
at all numerous in any country. Asone of 
these, your guests, 1am. sure that I give 
expression only to their unanimous senti- 
ment in saying that we have been ex- 
tremely gratified in many ways by all that 
we have seen and heard. The mere fact of 
so munificent a gift to science cannot but 
excite universal admiration. We knew well 
enough that it was nothing more than 
might have been expected from the public 
spirit of this great West ; but the first view 
* Address by Professor Simon Newcomb, LL.D., 
on the occasion of the dedication of the Yerkes Ob- 
servatory, University of Chicago, October 22, 1897. 
