Editoeial Committee: S. Newoomb, Mathematics; R. S. Woodward, Mechanics; E. C. Pickbeino, 



Astronomy; T. C. Mkndenhall, Physics; R. H. Thueston, Engineering; Ira Remsen, Chemistry; 



J. Lk CONTK, Geology; W. M. Davis, Physiography; Henry F. Osbgen, Paleontology; W. K. 



Beooks, C. Haet Meeeiam, Zoology; S. H. Scuddee, Entomology; C. E. Bessey, N. L. 



Beitton, Botany; C. S. MiNOT, Embryology, Histology; H. P. Bowditch, Physiology; 



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



J. W. Powell, Anthropology. 



Friday, Maech 23, 1900. 



CONTENTS: 



Third Annual Pure Food and Drug Congress 441 



The Accuracy of the Experimenlal 3Iethods of the 



Chemist: Peofessoe Frederick Emich 443 



Correspondence of C. S. Baflnesque and Professor 



Wm. Wagner: Thomas L. Montgomeey 449 



Some Observations concerning Species and Suh- 



species: Dr. B.aexon W. Evermann 451 



Breathing Oxygen : DR. William B. Shober.... 455 

 The Society of American Bacteriologists : Profbs- 



SOE H. W. Conn 455 



Scientific Books : — 



Miinsterberg on Psychology and Life : Professoe 



Geoege M. Steatton. Denilcer on the Baces of 



Man, Skeat on Malay Magic : Peofessoe O. T. 



Mason. Coulter's Plant Structures : PEOFES- 

 SOE Charles E. Bessey. Observations made 



at the Blue'jHill Meteorological Observatory : E. 



DeC.Waed. Books Beceived...7.. 463 



Societies and Academies : — 



The Philosophical Society of Washington : E. D. 



Preston. Ihe Texas Academy of Science : F. 



W. S. The Academy of Science of St. Louis 468 



Anti-plague Inoculation 470 



Spirit-lore of the 3Iicronesians : A. S. G 471 



Applied Thermodynamics : Peofessoe E. H. 



Thurston , 472 



A Neglected Department : PROFESSOR R. H. 



Thheston 473 



Museum of the State of New York 473 



Current Notes on 3Ieieorology : — 



The Belative Humidity of our Houses in Winter ; 



Drunkenness and the Weather ; International 



3Ieteorlogical Congress ; Beiirement of 3Ir. B. H. 



Scott: R. DeC.Waed 474 



Scientific Notes and Neios 475 



University and Educational News : — 



An Association of American Universities ; 



General 478 



MSS. intended for publication and books, etc., intended 

 for review should be sent to the responsible editor, Profes- 

 sor, J. McKeen Cattell, Garrison-on-Hudson, N. Y. 



THIBD ANNUAL PUBE FOOD AND DBUG 



CONGBESS. 



In harmony with a call issued by the Ex- 

 ecutive Committee, the third annual Pure 

 Food and Drug Congress of the United 

 States, assembled in Washington, D. C, on 

 March 7 th. 



Delegates to this Congress were appointed 

 by the Governors of the several States ; by 

 the State boards of agriculture and health; 

 by the agricultural colleges and experi- 

 ment stations ; by the national trade or- 

 ganizations, both by wholesalers and re- 

 tailers; by the National Grange ; by the State 

 Granges and by various other organized 

 bodies. Over five hundred delegates were 

 appointed and about three hundred attended 

 the meeting, thirty- five States and Territor- 

 ies being represented by delegates in actual 

 attendance. The meeting was a thoroughly 

 representative one in every particular. 



The principal object of this Congress was 

 to pi'omote national legislation relating to 

 the inter-state trafiSc in adulterated foods, to 

 provide inspection of food products shipped 

 abroad and to regulate the sale of food 

 products in the Territories of the United 

 States and the District of Columbia. Under 

 the constitution the power of the Congress 

 cannot go farther than this. 



For many years agitation in regard to 

 this legislation has been going on, and 

 the fundamental principles of the measure 

 agreed upon have been endorsed by the 



