SCIENCE. 



FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1885. 



COMMENT AND CRITICISM. 



Among the college assemblies of this sea- 

 son of the year, the most unique is that of the 

 Co-location of the University of the state of 

 New York. The organization of that body is 

 so peculiar as to be hardly understood in other 

 states, and a word in respect to it may inter- 

 est our readers. The regents of the univer- 

 sity are charged by the state with certain 

 functions which pertain to the control of the 

 academies and high schools of the state, and 

 with a mild oversight of the universities and 

 colleges. Once a j^ear the regents invite the 

 heads of all these institutions, and representa- 

 tives of the faculties, to assemble in the senate 

 chamber in Albany, and discuss such subjects 

 as may be of special importance to the educa- 

 tional concerns of the state. This is known 

 as the Convocation. Formal papers are read, 

 addresses are made, and deceased teachers are 

 commemorated ; but probably the most useful 

 feature of the gathering is the discussion of 

 selected topics by appointed speakers, in the 

 presence of a compan}^ of specially interested 

 auditors. For example : at the convocation on 

 the 9th of July, the chancellor of the university 

 left the chair, which was taken by the presi- 

 dent of Hamilton university, who introduced 

 the topic of the day, — college discipline. The 

 theme which he opened was discussed by the 

 heads of several other leading institutions in 

 the state. The contrast between such an edu- 

 cational conference and the great conventions 

 of teachers is very marked. The talking is 

 not for the outside public, though anybody may 

 be present who wishes, and the reports in the 

 newspapers are very brief; but the parties in- 

 terested learn to know one another. They 

 compare their views as experts, and give and 

 take suggestions as to the theory and practice 

 of the work with which the}' are charged. No 



No. 129.-1885. 



mercantile element is allowed ; or, in less 

 euphonious phrase, no book-agents are allowed 

 an}' privileges in these assemblies. 



Our readers are vtell aware that early in 

 June the memorial statue of Charles Darwin, 

 by Boehm, toward the erection of which pop- 

 ular contributions were received from many 

 lands, was unveiled in its permanent site in 

 the great hall of the new natural-history mu- 

 seum of South Kensington. An appropriate 

 address was delivered on that occasion by 

 Professor Huxley, president of the Roj'al so- 

 ciet}'. We refer to the subject again for the 

 sake of calling attention to one incidental but 

 not unimportant feature in the ceremony, — 

 the presence of men from almost all parties 

 and shades of religious opinion among English 

 protestants. The appearance of the Prince of 

 Wales, the Archbishop of Canterbuiy, the Dean 

 of Westminster, Mr. Beresford Hope, Arch- 

 deacon Farrar, not to name any others, is 

 enough to show that the ' establishment ' is not 

 unwilling to honor the great naturalist of 

 our age. When the obloquy encountered a 

 few 3"ears ago by ' Darwinism ' — obloquy not 

 3'et entirely dormant in some portions of the 

 United States — is borne in mind, the list of 

 those who assembled on this occasion is as 

 gratifying as the statement that contributions 

 to the memorial were received from fifteen 

 countries, besides the three kingdoms and the 

 British colonies. 



An unfortunate controversy has arisen in 

 the ranks of the medical profession of this 

 country with respect to the meeting of the 

 ninth International medical congress. It is a 

 controversy, however, in which all scientific 

 men among us are interested. Indeed, the 

 good name of American hospitality is involved 

 in its settlement. The International congress, 

 which meets triennially, had determined to 

 meet in Washington in 1887. It is an asso- 



