SCIENCE 
EDITORIAL ComMMITTEE: S. NEwcoms, Mathematics; R. S. WooDWARD, Mechanics; E. C. PICKERING, 
Astronomy; T. C. MENDENHALL, Physics; R. H. THURSTON, Engineering; IRA REMSEN, Chemistry; 
J. LE Contr, Geology; W. M. Davis, Physiography; O. C. MARSH, Paleontology; W. K. Brooks, 
C. Hart MerRRIAM, Zoology; S. H. ScupDER, Entomology; C. E. BrssEy, N. L. BRITTon, 
Botany; Henry F. OsBorn, General Biology; C. S. Minor, Embryology, Histology; 
H. P. Bowpitcu, Physiology; J. S. Brnuinas, Hygiene; J. MCKEEN CATTELL, 
Psychology; DANIEL G. BRINTON, J. W. POWELL, Anthropology. 
Fripay, DECEMBER 3, 1897. 
CONTENTS: 
The United States Fish Commission........+.+..-.+0++++- 817 
The National Academy of Sciences.........+++...ss0eseees 819 
American Society of Mechanical Engineers ............ 821 
President Gilman on the Relations of Science and 
(ODT TTP ecto 5 s00acnEeRee-ASSCHeaHaSAoODaRANSNSRSSAcINIGOd 822 
Primitive Man in the Delaware Valley: W. H. 
TRIG TUATIIS) -cocooscopsncgngansopscabedoac DosoganovoDEToND000% 824 
On Some Important Sources of Error in the Plankton 
Method: C. A. KOFOIUD...............02c0eceeceeseeeee 829 
Southern Star-Clusters: KDWIN B. F'ROST........... 832 
Current Notes on Physiography :— 
The Assam Earthquake of June, 1897; Moodus 
Noises ; Physiography of Maryland; Tarr’s First 
Book of Physical Geography: W.M. DAVIs.....834 
Current Notes on Anthropology :— 
The Papuans and Malanesians ; Ethnography and 
Historie Science in America: D. G. BRINTON....836 
Botanical Notes :— 
Enumeration of the Plants of Europe; The Dis- 
eases of Bermuda Lilies: CHARLES E. BESSEY..836 
Notes on Inorganic Chemistry: J. L. H............... 838 
Scientific Notes and News ........ Sadcncebad.960 ose 
University and Educational News..........+..- dosesooced 846 
Discussion and Correspondence :— 
Hotel Accommodation at Ithaca for Members of the 
Scientific Societies: S. H. GAGE, W. W. ROWLEE. 
The Cairn on the Enchanted Mesa: F. W. Hoper. 
A Possible Solution of the Sealing Problem: P. 
C. H. Observations on the Physiography of West- 
ern Massachusetts: ROLAND B. DIXON, CHARLES 
ID); IDIBTONY asesadaoonnosessnocosooanashsansenanssnocasadosdon 846 
Scientific Literature :— 
Lockyer’s Dawn of Astronomy: EDWARD §&. 
HOLDEN. Parkhurst on Song Birds and Water 
Fowl, Wright’s Birderaft: C. H. M. Magic: 
VOSHPHE JAS TR OW ersennaatccadesacneesianceasacidaseoneen cer 847 
Societies and Academies :-— 
The New York Academy of Sciences, Section of Bi- 
ology: GARY N. CALKINS. St. Lowis Academy 
of Science: WILLIAM TRELEASE.........2.:00000008 851 
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. 
THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Accorpineé to law the United States Fish 
Commissioner must be a man of ‘proved 
scientific and practical knowledge of the 
fishes of the coast.’ If President McKin- 
ley judges that Mr. Cleveland violated the 
law in appointing to the position the cousin 
of a prominent Democratic politician, hav- 
ing no previous scientific knowledge or prac- 
tical experience in the work, retired from 
the navy owing, it is said, to rheumatism, 
aggravated by sea air, and if further the 
incumbent has not during the past two and 
a-half years acquired ‘scientific and practi- 
eal knowledge of the fishes of the coast,’ 
then it is the President’s duty to remove 
the present Commissioner and make a new 
appointment according to the requirements 
of the law. 
We think that the President could best 
secure information on the subject by ap- 
pointing a committee of men of science to 
make a report on the conduct of the Fish 
Commission during the past two and/a-half 
years. The National Academy of Sciences 
is the legal adviser of the government on 
scientific questions, and a commission con- 
sisting of President Gibbs, Mr. Agassiz and 
President Jordan could {make a report, the 
