No. 392.] CORRESPONDENCE. 687 
to see why the clear, concise system of measuring, and the terms which 
were used by the French and English anthropologists, were modified 
by the Germans. The change resulted in great loss of work, espe- 
cially on the German side; but this is no occasion for any critical 
dissertation on this subject. The fact is that there are two different 
systems of nomenclature and measurements, and that the American 
anthropologists must choose ove of these systems in order to avoid 
much confusion and loss of work on their side. Furthermore, there 
are terms used somewhat vaguely by both the European schools and 
a few new terms, the meaning of all of which should soon be made 
as definite as possible. It might be well not to do anything in 
nomenclature unless it is in accord with at least the majority of 
European anthropologists. Section H of the American Anthropo- 
logical Association of Science is the best body in which steps leading 
to a standard American anthropological nomenclature and measure- 
ments should be taken. Something to this effect has already been 
done in the section. But this society should not act, except in con- 
cord with the English and French anthropological branches of the 
Associations for the Advancement of Science and with the Berlin 
anthropologische Gesellschaft. 
A few words about new terms. The coining of many new terms 
in anthropology is decidedly injurious and meets with much antipathy, 
unless the new terms were really needed and designate really new 
things or conceptions. 
In addition to the above I should like to call the attention of the 
American anthropologists to a few things which would prove of 
advantage. 
In the first place, the American student of anthropology would be 
exceedingly grateful to his masters, would they present him with a 
concise but complete history of the science in this country. It is 
only recently that the American Medico-Psychological Association 
appointed a committee for the purpose of collecting materials for and 
writing the history of Psychiatry in this country. Perhaps we could 
follow their. most commendable example and do as much in our 
section in the American Association for the Advancement of Science. 
Besides lacking the history of the science, the student of anthro- 
pology in this country is much in need of reliable translations and 
cheap editions of American anthropological classics. There are many 
very valuable works of this sort in Spanish and other foreign languages, 
and even in English, that are accessible to but very few. We need 
something like the medical publications of the Sydenham Society. 
