SCIENCE. 



617 



SCIENCE: 



A Weekly Record of Scientific 

 Prog r ess. 



JOHN MICHELS, Editor. 



TERMS: 



Per Year, - Four Dollars 



6 Months, » Two 



3 " - One " 



Single Copies, - Ten Cents. 



Published at 

 TRIBUNE BUILDING, NEW YORK. 

 P. O. Box 3838. 



London, England, - 150 Leadenhall St. 



SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1881. 



As the present number of this journal concludes 

 the second volume of " Science," the moment appears 

 opportune for us to acknowledge our obligations to the 

 many friends of the journal, who, by their contributions 

 of valuable papers, have assisted in placing it in the 

 distinguished position which it now occupies. 



The expression of good will and satisfaction which 

 we have received from so many of our subscribers, is 

 encouraging for the future of the journal, for we must 

 confess that our plans for the editorial management 

 have been but partly developed ; if we have deserved 

 such recognition in the past, we look forward for a 

 wide extension of our circulation in the future, when 

 the improvements and additions which we contem- 

 plate snail be carried out. Arrangements are in pro- 

 gress to increase the number of pages of " Science " 

 from twelve to sixteen, the four extra pages to be de- 

 voted to applied and practical science ; in this divi- 

 sion the most recent application of scientific principles 

 to the arts and manufactures will find a place, and 

 novel inventions of real scientific merit will be fully 

 described. 



Suggestions from our readers respecting any im- 

 provement or addition which will increase the effi- 

 ciency of the journal, will, be always welcome, and re- 

 ceive consideration, and we ask our subscribers to in- 

 troduce " Science " to their friends, and to forward us 

 names of those who in their opinion would desire to 

 receive a sample copy. 



We are gratified to find that heads of schools and 

 other representatives of the intelligent classes are send- 

 ing in their subscriptions, and recognizing "Science" as 

 one of the highest educational journals in this country. 

 The United States Commissioner of Education at 

 Washington has expressed his high approval of the 



journal in this respect, and we hope to find it in the 

 hands of all men interested in the education of 

 others. 



Our subscription list now includes Principals of 

 Schools, Professors in Colleges and Universities, Pas- 

 tors, Physicians, Manufacturing Houses; and we 

 claim that no person of average intelligence should 

 fail to read " Science," for he will find it a valuable 

 and useful weekly journal, and when bound, a 

 standard work of reference for all time. 



An esteemed contemporary calls for a scientific 

 journal, " such as the great body of intelligent people 

 will admit with confidence to their homes." "Science" 

 certainly fills this role. The editorial conduct of this 

 journal has been based on a policy to admit the 

 widest discussion of all current scientific subjects, but 

 no editorial bias has been given to any particular set 

 of views. The editor has not himself indulged in pol- 

 emics, nor permitted the discussion of religious ques- 

 tions, believing that the ground covered by investiga- 

 tions of all branches of the sciences, is sufficient for one 

 journal to cultivate, and that aimless attacks on relig- 

 ious belief are foreign to the purpose of a scientific 

 journal, and inconsistent in a country where religious 

 liberty is guaranteed to all. 



At the moment of going to press, a copy of Mr. 

 S. E. Cassino's International Scientists' Directory came 

 to hand. We have, therefore, only time to take a 

 glance at the book, which is a handsome work of 400 

 pages, containing the names, addresses, special de- 

 partment of study, etc., of those engaged in scientific 

 investigations in America, Europe, Asia, Africa and 

 Oceanica. 



About 18,000 names and addresses are given, and 

 the general arrangement of the work is all that can be 

 desired. The Directory will be welcome to all engaged 

 in scientific work, and we trust that it will be strongly 

 patronized, and thus enable Mr. Cassino to continue 

 his good work, which is still far from complete ; al- 

 though so many names are given in this directory, it 

 clearly represents only a fraction of the whole list of 

 scientists, as such well known names as Professor R. O. 

 Doremus and Professor J. W. Draper, are omitted. 



We have no doubt that Mr. Cassino has done his 

 best to make his Directory complete, and we congrat- 

 ulate him upon his success, and it simply rests with 

 scientific men to aid him in making future editions 

 perfect. 



On receipt of two dollars we will mail a copy of the 

 International Scientists' Directory to any address in 

 the United States or within the postal union. 



