202 



SCIENCE, 



[Vol. VI., No. 136. 



But an account of the meeting which should 

 conve}^ to the public any idea of what it is all 

 about is wanting. 



We have again to call attention to the unsat- 

 isfactory nature of the reports of the special 

 committees of the association. While in Eng- 

 land much of the most valuable work of the 

 corresponding association is the result of inves- 

 tigations carried on under the guidance of its 

 committees, in our association the reports 

 consist mostly of a mere statement that the 

 majorit}^ of the members are alive and well, and 

 would be glad to be continued as a committee 

 of the association for another year. As a con- 

 spicuous exception, vre would call attention to 

 the report on stellar magnitudes, due to the 

 exertions of Prof. E. C. Pickering, which is to 

 be printed in full. The botanists also have 

 brought about some good results. 



Some of the statistics of the meeting may be 

 of interest. The number of papers presented 

 was naturally not so large as last 3'ear, but ex- 

 ceeded that at any recent meetings in the west ; 

 the largest number being presented in section 

 F (32), followed at no great distance by sec- 

 tions B (23), E (27), and H (26). Section 

 G, with its four papers, held but one day's 

 session, and was then merged in F. Section 

 D, with twelve papers, completed its work in 

 two of the four days given to papers. Sec- 

 tion A, however, with the same number, re- 

 mained in session three days ; and though the 

 sessions of B closed also on the third day, C 

 and I, with fewer papers (17 and 21 respec- 

 tively), continued through the four days. 

 One hundred and fifty-four new members were 

 elected, sixty-eight members were advanced to 

 fellowship, and three hundred and sixty-four 

 members and fellows were in attendance. 



Although the meeting was a small one, the 

 necessit}^ of despatching business with greater 

 promptitude was so apparent, that additional 

 changes in the constitution were proposed to 

 effect this, besides those which could be decided 

 at this meeting. In accordance with a formal 

 proposition last year, it was decided to elect 

 members by the standing committee instead of 

 in general session ; but the association thought 



it would also be wise to select the fellows in 

 the same way, and the need of a daily general 

 session preceding the sectional meetings was 

 thus less obvious. The general session is 

 undoubtedly advantageous as bringing to- 

 gether once a day all the members of the 

 association, but very disadvantageous to its 

 work ; since after a half hour so spent, the 

 members divide into the various sections, often 

 at some distance from each other, and much 

 delay and confusion result. It is proposed to 

 restrict the general sessions to the beginning 

 and close of the meeting, and to limit the 

 public reading of committee reports in general 

 session to such as seem to the standing com- 

 mittee specially desirable from their interest or 

 importance. All these are excellent propo- 

 sitions, and will come up for decision next 

 year. 



The next meeting will be held at Buffalo, 

 N.Y., beginning Aug. 18, 1886, under the 

 presidency of Prof. Edward S. Morse of 

 Salem, Mass. 



THE COMMITTEE REPORTS. 



The following is a general account of the reports 

 of committees made to the association at its general 

 session, Monday morning, Aug. 31: — 



The committee on the best methods of science- 

 teaching in the public schools reported, through Hon. 

 Jolm Eaton of Washington, that considerable prog- 

 ress had been made, and that everywhere various 

 associations and schools, as well as individuals, were 

 working upon the subject, and many important ex- 

 periments had been made. The committee, however, 

 was not prepared to make more than a verbal state- 

 ment, and, on its request, was continued. 



The committee on tlie registralion of deaths, births, 

 and marriages, reported, through Mr. E. B. Elliott 

 of Washington, that the object of this committee was 

 to bring about the co-operation of the government of 

 the United States and the several states in establish- 

 ing a uniform and efficient system of registration. 

 Bills have from time to time been presented by com- 

 mittees of congress, — the last congress having, in both 

 houses, considered bills identical in character, — but, 

 for various reasons, delay had prevented action. 

 There had been no adverse action: the bills had 

 received the hearty co-operation of many earnest 

 friends in both houses, and favorable action in the 

 near future might be expected. The information de- 

 sired to be secured would be useful to individuals in 

 securing the legitimate descent of heritable property, 



