742 C. H. HITCHCOCK NOTE ON ORGANIZATION OF THE SOCIETY 



"2. The literature of geology is largely distributed through numerous scien- 

 tific journals and in the proceedings of miscellaneous scientific societies, to 

 procure which is diflBcult and expensive. 



"3. The present facilities afforded through the American Association for the 

 Advancement of Science are insufficient, and are unavailable by the working 

 geologists of the country — because: (o^)The meetings are held in the summer, 

 which is the geologist's working season. In order to be present he must inter- 

 rupt his work and leave the field, often at considerable expense, especially if 

 he has a party with him. ( Z> ) Its brief meetings partake largely of the nature 

 of vacation pleasure parties, and much of the time is engrossed by reception, 

 gratulation, and excursions, (c) There is no sufficient avenue of publication 

 of the work of geologists, and especially of palaeontologists, (d) The associa- 

 tion has become large, widespread, and popular in its work, membership, 

 and organization that its spirit necessarily and properly is not favorable to 

 the development of any special work through its own agency. 



"4. The geologists, as a body, have no way of expressing their views on im- 

 portant state, national, or international measures, except through the medium 

 of the American Association, at the meetings of which there is a perceptible 

 and increasing lack of attendance and interest on the part of geologists, in 

 consequence of which the actual views of the geologists of the country on such 

 questions can not be obtained and expressed correctly. 



"5. There is a need of co-ordination of the results of State surveys, to the 

 establishment of greater uniformity in nomenclature and classification. 



"6. There is a need of co-operation on the part of palaeontologists and of 

 some system in describing and publishing new species. 



"7. There is no strictly geological magazine or journal in America. 



"8. There is no strictly geological society in America. 



"9. There are numerous such societies and journals in Europe, as well as 

 journals and societies devoted exclusively to the branches of palaeontology and 

 mineralogy. 



"The committee desire also to disclaim any intention to trespass on the field 

 and plans of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or to 

 criticise it in any way as to the discharge of its functions. Its tendency is to 

 popularize science and to advance its acceptance by the world by diffusing 

 scientific knowledge and by announcing important discoveries, and as such its 

 sphere of activity is one that no special scientific body can occupy, but which 

 still will be aided by the existence of tributary organizations, such as that 

 contemplated by this circular. 



"Persons to whom this circular is addressed are requested to communicate 

 promptly their views and recommendations to any member of the committee, 

 in order that a report may be presented at the Montreal meeting of the Amer- 

 ican Association embodying such recommendations as may be warranted by 

 the correspondence and summarizing the same. 

 "(Signed) N. H. Winchell, State Geologist of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 

 Minnesota. 

 John R. Proctee, State Geologist of Kentucky, Frankfort, Ken- 

 tucky. 

 Henry S. Williams, Professor of Palaeontology, Cornell Univer- 

 sity, Ithaca, New York. 

 John Collett, State Geologist of Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana. 



