Editorial Comment. 125 
some of the intruders will care again to face the criticisms 
received and so amply deserved. Much as direct snubbing is 
to be regretted in any instance, it was a case that got beyond 
human endurance. It will serve, however, as a wholesome 
warning against the increase of similar parasitism in the 
future. No doubt the experience will lead the next congress, 
which convenes at Paris in 1900, to adopt early some rigid 
restrictions as to who shall participate in the excursions and 
entertainments that may be offered. Each nation, however, 
moreover, should use its best endeavors not only to send its 
best representatives as delegates, but should take proper 
measures to induce all those who are not actually engaged in 
geological work to have compassion enough on their country- 
men not to disgrace them. 
While the Americans were by no means the greatest sin- 
ners, parasitism among them at the St. Petersburg meeting 
was so prevalent that a repetition of jt to the same extent will 
cause Americans to lose their -present creditable standing 
among the geologists of the world. More than once during 
their sojourn in Russia w^re the American geologists present 
compelled to bow their heads in shame at the actions of their 
countrymen who posed as scientists from the new continent, 
but who had no right whatever to the courtesies that were 
extended. Other nations were severely afflicted in the same 
way, but that was no excuse for the existence of the scourge 
among us. The extent to which the legitimate working geolo- 
gists of America were made to suffer the stigma cast upon 
them by their well-meaning, but perhaps thoughtless, asso- 
ciates, is shown by the fact that out of the sixty credited to 
America, no less than twenty-five had not the slightest excuse 
for participating, further than attending the general sessions. 
With certain other nations the percentages were even higher. 
A hint as to the extent to which this was considered an extra 
burden carried by the Russian ])eo]:)le may be obtained from 
the fact that out of about 900 who were members of the con- 
gress, only 200 invitations to the reception at the Marble 
palace were sent out by their Im])erial Highnesses the Grand 
Duke and Duchess, and it is not believed that the name of any 
prominent geologist was omitted. 
In order that the experience may not be repeated, it is 
