24 PROCEEDINGS OF THE PRINCETON MEETING 



photographs (volume 14, pages 377-474). The collection is still at the United 

 States Geological Survej^ and in the custody of Mr. Darton. 



Migration. — Doubtless there would be some advantage in a permanent head- 

 quarters or "home" for the Society ; but whatever may have been the loss, 

 there has certainly been a decided gain by the migratory meetings in interest 

 and support and probably in attendance. The Society has escaped undue in- 

 fluence or control of any place or group of men. In visiting different sections 

 of America and many centers of geologic interest and activity, the Society 

 has gone to the Fellows and the better fulfilled its object — "the promotion of 

 the Science of Geology in North America." 



HISTORY OF THE BULLETIN 

 BY J. STANLEY-BROWN 



Mr. President and Fellow Metnhers of the Society: 



It is more than a pleasure to have been remembered on such an occasion as 

 this ; it is an honor to be asked to appear in company with two such revered 

 associates — associates to whom we all gladly and publicly acknowledge our 

 indebtedness for the substantial aid they have rendered in the construction of 

 the sound and enduring foundation on which the Society rests today. 



Frankly, the Editor finds no logical reason why he should have received 

 such recognition, except on the theory that, by virtue of his office, it was un- 

 avoidable. 



You will recall that there have been but two editors. The reason for this 

 is that one would not stay and the other would not quit. While the present 

 incumbent has not grown gray — at least not very gray — in office, he certainly 

 has attained his editorial majority, and the length of his official life is un- 

 equaled by that of any other member of the Society. To forestall the critics, 

 he hastens to add that he does not confuse quantity of service with quality, 

 and wishes it clearly understood that there are no thanks due him ; quite the 

 reverse, and he desires to avail of this occasion to express his appreciation of 

 the opportunity, so long and so courteously extended to him, of contributing 

 even a little to the cause of geology. 



That the Societj^'s form of publication is one of which members may justly 

 be proud will be admitted by all who read its "Proceedings." Its excellence 

 was not due to mere chance, nor the result of growth ; it was started right in 

 its inception, through the agency of a very high order of gray matter, and in 

 this connection permit me also to pay a richly desei-ved tribute to the memory 

 of the originator of the "Bulletin" — W J McGee. 



As Minerva sprang, full grown and completely armored, from the brain of 

 Jupiter, so was the Society's publication created — a model of form and effi- 

 ciency — by the sole effort and peculiar genius of one of the most competent 

 and brilliant scientific minds the West has produced. In its essential features 

 the Bulletin stands today as it did at the time of its creation. 



Of course, the greatest contributory cause of the Bulletin's success is the 

 character of the subject-matter offered by the members. While this, in the 

 main, has been all that could be desired, the wise but somewhat severe method 

 provided for reviewing papers before their publication has been accepted in- 

 variably in a fine spirit by contributors, thus aiding greatly in maintaining 



