130 



SCIENCE. 



[N. S. Vol. XXI. Xo. 526. 



tained when both of these properties are 

 combined in an individual production. 

 Enhancing the vahie and usefulness of the 

 publications referred to is their degree of 

 perfection as books, the facility with which 

 they can be had for reading or reference, 

 and the wideness of their distribution. 



Turning to the publications of our geo- 

 graphic societies with these ideas in mind, 

 we find less ground for congratulation than 

 in reference to the lectures and the meet- 

 ings held under their auspices. Without 

 attempting to illustrate by specific exam- 

 ples, it can, I think, be claimed by an im- 

 partial critic that the publications of our 

 geographical societies, when judged as 

 attempts to popularize geographical knowl- 

 edge, in general lack literary merit, are 

 merely descriptive and do not consistently 

 and with subtlety of pvirpose lead the read- 

 er on to think for himself. As contribu- 

 tions to geographical research the publica- 

 tions referred to clearly contain a few 

 papers that are direct and first-hand addi- 

 tions to science, but the number of such 

 papers is few. Our leaders in geographical 

 research do not as a rule seem to consider 

 the publicatiofis of our geographical socie- 

 ties favorable places for putting their re- 

 sults on record. 



In reference to the publications under 

 consideration, as specimens of the book- 

 makers' art, they, as a rule, fall below the 

 standard of the better class of literary 

 magazines. Their appearance is in general 

 not attractive, the illustrations in many 

 instances have not been wisely chosen, and, 

 in general, have been poorly reproduced. 



As to the distribution and accessibility 

 to the publications under consideration, it 

 is evident that Ihcy arc ndt widely known, 

 and although exchanged with scientific so- 

 cieties in Ihis and other lands, they do not 

 find their way into [)iiblic, collegiate and 

 private libraries lo the extent that could be 

 wished. In part, this lack of what may 



be termed efficiency comes from the com- 

 paratively large number of journals, mag- 

 azines, proceeding.s, etc., issued, the lack of 

 demand for the kind of information they^ 

 contain, and the fact that they are too 

 weak to win their way and attract readers 

 in the face of the competition of scientific 

 writings printed in more attractive and 

 convenient forms. In brief, the efforts of 

 our geographical societies in the direction 

 of publication are widely scattered, in 

 large part the bulletins, etc., issued appear 

 at irregular intervals, are repellant rather 

 than attractive in dress, and in large part 

 are weak when considered as either literary 

 or scientific productions, and do not attain 

 the standard that may reasonably be de- 

 manded. 



As a summary of the defects of our pres- 

 ent system I venture to insist that our geo- 

 graphical societies are not only lacking in 

 unity of purpose, but are antagonistic 

 rather than cooperative. Their infliience 

 in each case is local, and their aims narrow 

 and ill defined. In no case has research, 

 the true foundation of geography as a sci- 

 ence, been made a prominent feature, and 

 never, so far as I have been able to learn, 

 has it received direct financial aid or pop- 

 ular recognition. Owing to the local char- 

 acter of the societies in question and the 

 narrowness of their respective habitats, the 

 facilities they furnish for men to become 

 ac(|uainted with their fellow workei's are 

 much less than could be desired. But the 

 most glaring failures are evident in the 

 general weakness of the publications issued, 

 and the inefficiency of the means employed 

 for their distribution. 



This unsatisfactory but perhaps some- 

 what biased summary brings me to the last 

 subdivision of my theme, namely, the in- 

 quiry— 



HOW CAN THE EFFICIENCY OF OUR GEO- 

 GRAPHICAL SOCIETIES BE ENHANCED? 



