THE SCIENTIST. 
174 
FORMERLY THE NATURALIST. 
Entered at Kansas City, Mo., for transmission 
through the malls at second-class rates. 
KANSAS CITY, NOVEMBER, 1891. 
A Monthly Journal Devoted to all Branches of 
SCIENCE. 
THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE PUBLISHING CO., 
Publishers and Proprietors, 
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. 
EDITORS : 
R. B. Trouslot. Joseph Sharp, M. D., E. Bxttts, 
David II Todd, Sid. J. Hare. 
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est to Scientists solicited from all. 
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. . . OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE . 
KANSAS CITY 
Academy of Science. 
OFFICERS FOR 1891. 
E. Butts President. 
W. H. Yeaton Vice-President. 
R. B. Trouslot Recording Secretary. 
David U. Toud Corresponding Secretary. 
Edward T. Keim Treasurer. 
Ambler Harper Librarian. 
Sid. J. Hare Curator. 
Edwin Walters Chairman Ex. Com. 
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SID. J. HARE, Secretary. 
SCIEriTIST, 
No. 2415 East 13th St. , KANSAS CITY, MO, 
The delay in issuing the Scien- 
tist has been a great inconvenience 
to us, but we hope with a new prin- 
ter we will make up the lost time as 
well as put out a better appearing 
job of press work. 
The Texas Sif tings is the author 
of the following : 
EDISON, THE PROMISEE. 
"Edison promises immediate electric mo- 
tors for street railways. It is a pity that 
he did not invent his motor before our 
streets were torn up for the cable roads. 
But has he really invented it, or is he only 
thinking about it? Edison would be a 
much greater man if he talked less to the 
reporters. He is always confiding to them 
some tremendous invention which exists 
only in his mind. During recent years he 
has invented nothing but toys, like the phon- 
ograph, of no practical utility. He is very 
rich, and wealth seems to have made him 
lazy. Next to Barnum, he is the shrewd- 
est advertiser that ever lived, and he can 
get more free notices on a less capital of fact 
than even George Francis Train. If he 
does not wish his electric motor to be 
ranked with the Keeley motor let him 
invite railroad men to his factory and show 
them his model in actual operation." 
We must say in behalf of Mr. 
Edison that a man who has made so 
many remunerative inventions need 
not rush one of imperfection upon 
the market at this time. We believe, 
however, that delay with Mr. Edi- 
son, only means that the motor will 
be more perfect when it appears. 
Missouri River Improvement. 
The Commercial Club of Kansas 
City have appointed a committee, 
consisting of the president of the 
