358 The American Naturalist. [April, 
EDITORIAL. 
EDITORS, E: D. COPE AND J. S. KINGSLEY. 
HE increase in the number of original investigators in science 
during the last few years in the United States, is a gratify- 
ing indication of intellectual progress. Progress in science and 
philosophy means increase in positive knowledge. This means 
light for the mind, as well as comfort and health for the body, 
both now and in time to come To know whence we come and 
whither we tend, is to be prepared for the future as well as for 
the present. The age demands knowledge, and provision is being 
gradually made in this country for the producers of it. The time 
is not far distant, we suspect, when the confusion between the pro- 
ducers and the distributors of knowledge, which is so prevalent, 
will disappear. Millions are expended for the dissemination of 
knowledge through the medium of schools and libraries, while 
small sums only can be obtained for the production of new truth. 
The increase in the number of producers in science is educating 
the public mind, and one great need, that of institutions of 
original research, will be supplied. Professors in universities and 
colleges who are competent in this work can now only pursue it 
in leisure moments, and these are often few. 
New institutions might be endowed with this object in view, 
since few of the old ones supply the organization necessary for 
the successful execution of such work. These might be appro- 
priately associated with universities in the proper localities for pur- 
poses of mutual advantage. The increase in the original investi- 
gators holds forth a promise of the organization on a true basis 
of academies of science in our States. Those in existence having 
commenced by electing as members everybody who can pay the 
necessary fees, have mostly lost their scientific character, and 
have sunk into inaction. Little can be done with them, since 
those into whose hands they have fallen are generally unwilling 
to adopt the necessary changes. But the times will soon be aus- 
picious for the organization of new bodies, whose membership 
will be an order of merit, and a recognition of work done. 
