SCIENCE 



Editoeial Committee : S. Newcomb, Mathematics ; R. S. Woodwaed, Mechanics ; E. C. Pickeeing, 



Astronomy; T. C. Mendenhall, Physics; R. H. Thueston, Engineering; Iea Remsen, Chemistry; 



J. Le Conte, Geology; "W. M. Davis, Physiography; O. C. Maesh, Paleontology; W. K. 



Beooks, C. Haet Meebiam, Zoology; S. H. Sctjddee, Entomology; N. L. Beitton, 



Botany ; Heney F. Osboen, General Biology ; H. P. Bowditch, Physiology ; 



J. S. Billings, Hygiene ; J. McKeen Cattbll, Psychology ; 



Daniel G. Beinton, J. W. Powell, Anthropology. 



Feidat, June 18, 1897. interest and patronage of our early Presi- 



: dents — Washington, John Adams, JefiFer- 



CONTENTS: son, Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams. 



The Beginnings of American Astronomy: Ed- The powerful impetus given by them and 



WAEDS. HOLDEN 929 ,v 1 ,1 1, 1, J XT. ,-, , T 



r , ■, ~ , • . /^, .... T ■««• through them has shaped the liberal policy 



Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics: JOHN M. ° ^ t^ J 



Macfaelane 935 of our governments, National and State, to- 



Current Notes on Physiography :— wards education and towards Science. Sir 



Uplands and V alleys of Kansas : Bell on Canadian -r m ^- --l- jj x^i t.-j-i 



Eivers; The Plateau of Wat Virginia; Crater ^^yon Playfair, m his address to the British 



Lake and 3lt. 3lazama, Ore.: W. M. Davis 945 Association for the Advancement of Science 



Current Notes on Anthropology:- (1885), has recognized this influence in the 



Man and His Environment ; Slavery of the Amer- \ y o 



icon Indians: D. G. Beinton 947 truest and most graceful way. He said: 



Notes on Inorganic Chemistry : J. L. H 948 " In the United Kingdom we are just be- 



Scieniijic Notes and News 950 ginning to understand the wisdom of 



University and Educational News 9. ..54 tit -i. , ,-r-i hajt x!-/--. 



n- ■ J r, J W ashmgton's Farewell Address to his Coun- 



Inscussion and Correspondence: — " 



The Distribution of Marine Mammals: Theo. trymeu (1796) when he said: 'Promote, 



p'«''', ^^iv?^?''' Aenold E Obtmann. The ^3 an object of primary importance, insti- 



Potter's Wlieel m America: D. G. Beinton 95o , •' i^ j f > 



Scientific Literature :— tutions for the increase and diffusion of 



Cambridge Natural History, Vol. II.: W. McM. knowledge ; in proportion as the structure 

 Woodwoeth. Wilson on the Swastika : de Mor- c 2. ■ j- _, 1 i- 



tillet's L'Origine de la Nation Fran<:aise:D.G. °^^ government gives force tO public 



Beinton 958 opinion, it is essential that public opinion 



Scieiitific Journals:- , t t. should be enlightened.' " 



I he American Chemical Journal: J. Elliott ° 



Gilpin 961 Until the Eevolution (1776) American 



Societies and Academies :— Science was but English scienca trans- 



The Biological Society of Washington: F. A. i x i j -x i 1 j x xi t. i o • j 



Lucas. Boston Society of Natural History: planted, and it looked to the Royal Society 



Samuel Henshaw 963 of London as its censor and patron. "Win- 



^ew Books 964 throp, Franklin and Rittenhouse were, 



Mss. intended lor publication and books, etc., intended more or less, English astronomers. Frank- 



McKreL'c^tei"!Garrirn-on-HuYs'^^^^^ editor, Prof. J. jj^ ^^g ^^^ sturdiest American of the three. 



: As early as 1743 he suggested the forma- 



TEE BEGINNINGS OF AMERICAN ASTRON- tion of the American Philosophical Society 



OMY. of Philadelphia. John Adams founded the 



It is impossible, even in the briefest American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 



sketch, not to emphasize the debt of Ameri- Boston in 1780. These two societies, to- 



can science and learning to the intelligent gether with Harvard College (founded in 



