914: The American Naturalist. [October, 
There are two principal causes for this falling off in the attendance, 
which has been characteristic of several recent meetings. One of the 
principal causes is lack of patriotism and public spirit on the part of 
a good many of the absentee members. The Association affords to the 
scientific men of the country the opportunity to present their work to 
the public, and thus to excite its interest. The Association has a 
missionary service to which no cultivator of science should be insensi- 
ble. It is not only a stimulant to education to men of all classes, but 
it offers matter of thought and occupation to the well-to-do, who are 
sometimes at a loss for occupation for both time and money. And 
it should appeal to the selfish interests of the cultivators of science as 
well, for the Association must influence men of means in suggesting 
directions for the exercise of their liberality. 
The other reason for the small attendance of some of the sections is 
the absorption of interest in special societies which meet immediately 
before the Association convenes. It is well for the societies to meet at 
the same time and place as the Association, but they should be careful 
not to appropriate too much of its vitality. Due consideration of the 
importance of the Association to science and to the country, should in- 
fluence them in this matter, and it is to be supposed that the experi- 
ence of the last few years is all that is necessary to impress this view on 
the mind of their members with reference to the future. 
In order to remove some special inducements to absenteeism which 
were presented by the Springfield meeting, the Association adopted two 
important resolutions. First, that meetings should begin on Monday, 
so that they should not be interrupted by a Sunday; and, second, that 
excursions should not be undertaken until after the close of the meet- 
ing. These arrangements will have an excellent effect in concentrating 
both the work and the attendance. 
—TuHE Zoological Section passed some important resolutions with ref- 
erence to the proposed bibliographical bureau and its work. It endorsed 
the plan introduced by Mr. H. H. Field, for the establishment of such 
a bureau in Switzerland. It is proposed that this bureau shall issue 
frequent bibliographical records of Zodlogical papers as they appear ; 
and it is hoped that it will do the same for botanical literature. For 
its support the Association appropriated the sum of $250.00, to be 
added to the various sums already subscribed in Europe. 
Mr. Field offered a resolution that the bureau undertake to fix the 
date of publication of all printed matter presented to it. This resolu- 
tion was adopted by the Section. He also proposed that the date of 
