78 



SCIENCE. 



[N. S. Vol. XVII. No. 419. 



reports which I have received do not state 

 whether any correlated change occurred in 

 the foliage, stems or other feature of the 

 plant's habit. It is, therefore, plain that one 

 cannot satisfactorily discuss the nature of 

 those cases of atavic mutation until more 

 complete data are obtained. Still, one seems 

 to be justified in assuming that the exciting 

 cause of atavic mutation in those two cases 

 is largely connected with climatic conditions, 

 although the determinate cause of mutation, 

 both phylogenetic and atavic, is apparently 

 often independent of such conditions. It 

 may be added that I have not yet been able 

 to suggest an exciting cause for the cases of 

 aggregate phylogenetic mutation which I have 

 referred to; but the facts of that mutation 

 are absolutely as I have stated them in the 

 publications mentioned in the foregoing foot- 

 note. Chaeles a. White. 

 Smithsonian Institution, 

 December 30, 1902. 



CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON. 

 appointment of research assistants. 



It is the purpose of the Carnegie Institu- 

 tion of Washington, among other plans, to 

 encourage exceptional talent by appointing a 

 certain number of research assistants. 



These positions will not be those commonly 

 known as fellowships or scholarships; nor is 

 the object of this provision to contribute to 

 the payment of mechanical helpers or of as- 

 sistants in the work of the institution. It 

 is rather to discover and develop, under com- 

 petent scrutiny and under favorable condi- 

 tions, such persons as have unusual ability. 

 It is not intended to provide means by which 

 a student may complete his courses of study, 

 nor to give assistance in the preparation of 

 dissertations for academic degrees. Work of 

 a more advanced and special character is ex- 

 pected of all who receive appointment. 



The annual emolument will vary accord- 

 ing to circumstances. As a rule, it will not 

 exceed $1,000 per annum. No limitations are 

 prescribed as to age, sex, nationality, gradua- 

 tion or residence. Appointments wiU at first 

 be made for one year, but may be continued. 



It is desirable that a person thus appointed 



should work under the supervision of an in- 

 vestigator who is known to the authorities of 

 the Carnegie Institution to be engaged in an 

 important field of scientific research, and in 

 a place where there is easy access to libraries 

 and apparatus — but there may be exceptions 

 to this. 



Applications for appointments may be pre- 

 sented by the head of, or by a professor in, 

 an institution of learning, or by the candi- 

 date. They should be accompanied by a state- 

 ment of the qualifications of the candidate, 

 of the research work he has done, and of that 

 which he desires to follow, and of the time 

 for which an allowance is desired. If he has 

 already printed or written anything of in- 

 terest, a copy of this should be enclosed with 

 the application. 



Communications upon this subject should 

 be distinctly marked on the outside envelope, 

 apd on the inside, Eesearch Assistant, and 

 should be addressed to the Carnegie Institu- 

 tion of Washington, 1439 K Street, Wash- 

 ington, D. C. 



marine biologioal laboratory. 

 The Carnegie Institution of Washington 

 has made a grant to the Marine Biological 

 Laboratory and now has at its disposal twenty 

 tables in the Laboratory at Woods Hole, Mass., 

 for the season of 1903. These tables are in- 

 tended for the use of persons engaged in orig- 

 inal research in biology, and carry with them 

 the right to be furnished with the ordinary 

 supplies and material of the Laboratory. 

 Applications for the use of one of these tables 

 should be addressed to the Secretary of the 

 Carnegie Institution, Washington, D. C, 

 stating the period for which the use of the 

 table is desired, and the general character of 

 the work which the applicant proposes to do. 



SGIENTIFIO NOTES AND NEWS. 

 The American Society of Naturalists at its 

 Washington meeting during convocation week 

 elected as president Professor William Tre- 

 lease, of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Dr. 

 Franz Boas, of New York, was elected vice- 

 president and Professor Bashford Dean, treas- 

 urer. Dr. G. Eoss Harrison was reelected 

 secretary. Professor William T. Sedgwick, 



