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to explain the peculiar fact that substances of the same chemical constitution may present quite different physical properties. The explanation may be found in variations in the attachments which the bonds of one atom form, under varying conditions, with the bonds of another atom. Thus, if bonds a, b, and c of an atom unite with bonds d, e, and ƒ of another, a molecule of certain properties is formed. But should bond a unite with bond f, a molecule of quite different properties might be the result. Thus may perhaps be explained, for example, the different forms, with different properties, under which pure carbon is met. Gradually the truth is being brought to light. Part of the theory is already quite established, and the hope begins that in time the mystery may be entirely removed." The following-named papers were read: "Preliminary Study of the Ptomaines from the Culture Liquids of the Hog Cholera Germ," "Study of the Composition of Osage Orange Leaves," and "A New Ptomaine," by Emil A. Von Schweinitz; "The Occurrence of the Pentaglucoses," "The Reduction of Fehling's Solution by Arabinose," and "The Quantitative Estimation of the Pentaglucoses in the Presence of Other Carbohydrates," by Winthrop E. Stone; "The Action of Alcohol upon Aldehydes," by Spencer B. Newbury; "Some Thoughts on Electromotive Force," by Clarence L. Speyers; Mucilaginous, Nitrogenous, and Dysmorphous Carbohydrate Bodies in the Sorghum Plant," by Harvey W. Wiley and Walter Maxwell; "On the Heats of Combustion of Certain Organic Bodies," by Wilbur O. Atwater and H. B. Gibson; Analysis of Lycoperdon Fusillume" and "Notes on Certain Reactions for Tyrotoxicon," by Henry A. Huston; "Determination of the Volumetric Composition of Water" and "Ratio of the Density of Oxygen and Hydrogen," by Edward W. Morley; "The Atomic Weight of Oxygen" and "The Unit for the Atomic Weights," by William A. Noyes; "The New Chemical Laboratory of Cornell University," by Spencer B. Newbury; "Knorr's Extraction Apparatus,' ""Pine Tree Honey Dew and Pine Tree Honey,' "Pine Tree Sugar (Pinus Lambertiana)," "Some New Forms of Apparatus for drying Substances in an Atmosphere of Hydrogen," and "Apparatus for recovering highly Volatile Solvents," by Harvey W. Wiley; Apparatus for evaporating in Vacuo" and "The Estimation of Theine in Teas," by Guilford L. Spencer; "Apparatus for determining Solubilities," by A. E. Knorr ; On Chemism-an Inquiry into the Conditions which underlie Chemical Reactions," by Amos E. Dolbear; "The Proper Standard of the Atomic Weights," by Frank P. Venable; " Improved Forms of Gas Generators," "A Constant and easily_Regulated Chlorine Generator," "Derivatives of Dinitro a Naphtol," "Soluble Compound of Hydrastine with Mono-calcium-phosphate," Application of the Potassium Chlorate Method for the Determination of Sulphur to the Analysis of Horn," "On a New Method of preparing Benzine-Sulfonic Bromide and on Some New Salts of Benzine-Sulfonic Acid," by Thomas H. Norton; "An Inquiry into the Conditions which underlie Chemical Reactions," by Amos E. Dolbear; "On the Alkaloidal Principles present in the Seed Berries of Calycanthus Glaucus," by Harvey W. Wiley and H. E. L. Horton; "Experiments on the Chemical Constitution of the Silicates," by Frank W. Clarke; "On a Constant Ratio between a Reducing Sugar and the Amount of Copper set free, determined Gravimetrically," by J. L. Fuelling; "On the Preservation of Sugar Solutions and Influence of Basic and Normal Lead Acetate on Analysis thereof," by Hubert Edson; "Study of Fehling's Solution in Estimation of Sugars," by H. E. L. Horton; "Action of Ammonium Citrate on High-Grade Aluminium Phosphate," by Henry A. Huston; "On the Minerals constitut

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ing a Meteorite found in Kiowa County, Kansas," by E. H. S. Bailey: "Constitution of Benzoquinone," by J. U. Net; "The Action of Sodium on Acctone and the Constitution of Aliphatic Ketones," by Paul C. Freer; "On the Method of Estimation of the Fatty Bodies in Vegetable Organism and the Behavior of the Glycerides and Lecithines during Germination" and "On the Nitrogenous Elements present in Cattle Food prepared from the Cotton-Seed Meal," by Walter Maxwell.

fore the chemical section a report on the pronunBesides these papers, there was presented beciation and spelling of chemical terms, which was referred back to the committee, who are to condense the results of the year's work, agree upon a standard, and report at the next year's meeting. The report of the committee on information concerning the formation of a National Chemical Society provoked considerable discussion, and the committee was instructed to join with other bodies for a conference and to report next year. The committee on teaching the metric system presented a circular, by way of a report, which they were issuing to physicians, pharmacists, and teachers of materia medica and therapeutics in medical and pharmaceutical colleges, urging them to follow the new "United States Pharmacopoeia," and use exclusively the metric system after 1890.

James E. Denton, of Stevens Institute of TechD. Mechanical Science and Engineering.— nology, presided over this section, and delivered an address on "Mechanical Tests of Lubricants," in which he told how experiments to determine the coefficient of friction between lubricated rubbing surfaces had been prosecuted for two hundred years, resulting in the existence of many forms of satisfactory apparatus for such measurement known as oil-testing machines. He explained how such machines are used and the experiments performed with them for the Standard Oil Company. His address was illustrated by lantern views of various new devices for testing lubricants under the actual conditions of service, and also by samples of bearings that had been in service under various conditions representing unsatisfactory lubrication. Explanations were also offered of the paradoxical fact that overheating is often relieved by supplying sand or emery to bearings. For example, a hot journal on a car is cooled off by ramming some mud or weeds into the box. The sand grains make grooves around the wearing parts, and as a result the oil is uniformly distributed and the hot box cools down to the limit of safety. The main thing in lubricating is uniformity of feed. Whatever insures this secures smooth running and enhances the force of the machine. The followingnamed papers were read before the section:

"A New Transmission Dynamometer," "Preliminary Experiments in the Resistance of Metals to Cutting," Machine for Testing Tortional Stiffness," "Diagramming Apparatus for Use in testing Materials," and "Dynamometer for Measuring the Resistance of Cutting Tools," by Thomas Gray; "Construction of a Precision Screw Eight Feet in Length" and "A Simple Method of subdividing Index Wheels into 1,000 Parts," by William A Rogers; "A Standard Formula for Efficiency of Steam Engines," by William Kent; "New Principles of Mechanism shown by Experiment with Spiral Gears," by Oscar J. Beale ; "Efficiency of Locomotive Link Motion compared to Automatic Cut-Off Valve Gear of Modern High-Speed

Engines," by Henry P. Jones; "Effect of Internal Strains in Hardened Steel," by George M. Bond; "The Principal Element of Waste in Machine Shops,' by Oberlin Smith; "The Money Value of Solid Emery Wheel," by T. D. Paret; Use of the Locomotive as an Apparatus for testing Cylinder Oils" and "Results of Test of Performance of 75-ton Ammonia Compression Machine," by James E. Denton; "The Structure of Woods as viewed in their Cross Sections," by William J. Beal; "Note on Graphical Construction of Crank Effort Diagram," by H. F. Durand; "Results of Tests of Strength of Sewer Pipe," by M. A. Harris; and "A Vortex Automatic Lubricator for High-Speed Shafts," by St. John Day. E. Geology and Geography.-This section was presided over by John C. Branner, Director of the Geological Survey of Arkansas. His address was on the Relations to each other of the State and National Geological Surveys." These, he said, should comply with the following conditions: Geologic research being under the nominal direction of the leading investigators, would be so conducted as to be of the greatest utility to the largest number. When a piece of work was done by one it would be done for all, and duplication by State surveys and by individuals, and the consequent waste of energy, time, and money would cease. The functions and fields of official organizations being better defined, State and national surveys and individuals could so direct their efforts as to serve the purposes of others without neglecting their own immediate aims and without infringing upon each other's grounds. National and State surveys would be strengthened, and local organizations and individual effort encouraged. It would give us a better geologic literature, better instruction, better geologists, and more thorough specialists. And finally, we trust it would put a stop to those oracles of science who are so ready to prophesy in its name. This ideal state of affairs may never be brought about, but it is none the less desirable that we should aim at it. For the more nearly we approximate to it the more rapid will be the progress of science, and the progress of science is the progress of civilization." The titles of the papers read were as follow:

"Preservation of Glaciated Rocks," by Homer T. Fuller; "An Old Channel of the Niagara River," by Josiah T. Scovell; "Niagara. A Few Last Words in Reply to Mr. G. K. Gilbert's History of the Niagara River," by George W. Halley; A Local Deposit of Glacial Gravel found in Park County, Ind.," by John T. Campbell; "Concerning Some Portions of Castoroides Ohioensis, Foster, not heretofore known," by Joseph Moore; "The Barking Sands of the Hawaiian Islands" and "Occurrence of Sonorous Sand on the Pacific Coast of the United States," by H. Carrington Bolton: "Floridite, a new Variety of Phosporite found in Florida," by Edward T. Cox; "The Columbia Formation in the Mississippi Embayment," by W J McGee; "What constitutes the Taconic Mountains," by Newton H Winchell; "The Formations and Artesian Wells of Memphis, Tenn.," by James M. Safford; "Progress in Morainie Mapping," by Thomas C. Chamberlin; "Remarks on Construction of Topographic Maps for Geologic Reports" and "Notes on the Occurrence of Pegmatite in Central Missouri," by Arthur Winslow; "The Amount of Natural Gas used in Glass Manufacture," by Edward Orton; "Differentiation of Subterranean Water Supplies," by John E. Siebel; "Some of the Qualifying Conditions of Successful Artesian-Well Boring in the Northwestern States" and 66 A Notable Dike in the Minnesota River Valley," by C W. Hall; "Topo

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graphic Features of Arkansas Marbles," by T. C. Hopkins; "The Origin of the Manganese Ores of Northern Arkansas and its Effect on the Associated Strata," by R. A. F. Penrose, Jr.; "The Novaculites of Arkansas," by L. S. Griswold; "Subsidence and Deposition as Cause and Effect," by Edward W. Claypole; "On the Paleontological and Geological Relation of closely Similar Fossil Forms," by Charles A. White; The Crystalline Rocks of Central Texas,' ," "The Geology of the Wichita Mountains, Indian Territory," The Silurian System and its Geanticline in Central Texas and Indian Territory," by Theodore B. Comstock; "Topographical Evidence of a Great and Sudden Diminution of the Water Supply in the Ancient Wabash," by John T. Campbell; "Glacial Action considered as a Continuous Phenomena, having shifted from One Locality to another," by P. H. Van der Weyde; "Geology of Indian Territory South of Canadian River," by R. T. Hill and James S. Stone; "The Recent Explosion of Natural Gas in Shelby County, Ind.," by H. E. Pickett and Edward W. Claypole; "Note on the Stony Meteorite that recently fell in Washington County, Kan.," by E. H. S. Bailey; and "The Bendigo (Bra zil) Meteorite," "A New Method of Searching for Rare Elements in Rocks," "Observations on the Genesis of Certain Magnetites" and " Mephelinebearing Rocks in Brazil," by Orville A. Derby.

section was Charles S. Minot, of Harvard UniverF. Biology -The presiding officer of this sity, who delivered an address "On Certain Phenomena of growing old." Concerning the laws of variation in living beings, he showed that these occur in an irregular series, reaching a climax at a certain age, and that the rate at which variations take place is greater in early life. This was illustrated by the age of college students, the growth of children, the age of maturity in women, the age of maternity, etc. Here the maximum occurs early in life. On the other hand, a study of the relations of suicide, for example, to age, shows the maximum much later. This opens a large field for the study of statistics, throwing light upon such problems as the relation of disease to age, and the time of greatest intellectual power and success. Turning to the question of variation in its relation to senility, or growing old, the speaker emphasized the fact that decline begins at birth. There is really no period of ascending developement; the end begins with the start of life. But these changes are more rapid in early life, so that the older the animal, the longer time required to produce a certain change. There is, in other words, a progressive loss of vitality, the potential energy steadily declines. The following-named papers were read:

"Forest Trees of Indiana," by Stanley Coulter; "Food of Bees," by Albert J. Cook; "A Case of Morbid Affection of the Eye in a Cat," by Clarence L. Herrick, "Preliminary Notes on a New and Destructive Oat Disease," by B. T. Galloway; "Observations on the Variability of Disease Germs," by Theobald Smith; "Changes in the Ciliated Areas of the Alimentary Canal of the Amphibia during Development, and the Relation to the Mode of Respiration," by Simon H. Gage and Susanna P. Gage; "Combined Aerial and Aquatic Respiration in Amphibia, and the Functions of the External Gills in Forms hatched on Land," by Simon H. Gage "The Trimorphism of Uromyces Trifolii," by J. K. Howell; "The Harvest Spiders of North America," by Clarence M. Weed; "On the Structure of Certain Paleozoic Fishes," by Edward D. Cope; "Morphology of the Blood Corpuscles," by Charles S. Minot; "Observations on the Life History of Uncinula Spiralis," by B. T. Galloway; "On the Seed Coats

ter:

of the Genus Euphorbia," by L. H. Pammel; "Observations on the Method of Growth of the Prothallia of the Filicineæ, with Reference to their Relationships and Contributions to the Life History of Isæus," by Douglas H. Campbell; "Development of the Sporocarp of Griffithsia Bornetiana," by V. M. Spalding; The Relation of the Mexican Flora to that of the United States," by Sereno Watson; "Distribution of the North American Umbellifera " by John M. Coul"The Distribution of Hepotiæ of North America," by Lucien M. Underwood; "The Migration of Weeds," by Byron D. Halsted; "Geographical Distribution of North American Grasses," by William J. Beal; "Geographical Distribution of North American Cornacea," by John M. Coulter; "The General Distribution of North American Plants," by Nathan L. Britton; "On the Plates of Holonema Rugosa," by H. E. Williams; "External Termination of the Urethra in the Female of Geomy's Bursorius," by Herbert Osborn; "Work of the Botanical Division of the Department of Agriculture," by Frederick V. Coville; On the Lack of the Distance Sense in the Prairie Dog," by Burt G. Wilder; "Disappearance of the Decidua Reflexa," by Charles S. Minot; "The Continuity of Protoplasm through the Cell-Walls of Plants," by William J. Beal and T. W. Tuomey; "The Distribution of Land Birds in the Philippine Islands," by J. B. Steere;" Potato Scab, a Bacterial Disease," by Henry L. Bolley: "The Development and Function of the so-called Cypress-' Knees, with a Consideration of the Natural Habitat of the Tree," by W. P. Wilson; "Preliminary Note on the Genus Rhynchospora in North America" and "On Rusbya, a New Genus of Vacciniacea from Bolivia," by Nathaniel L. Britton; "Exhibition of Diagrams illustrating the Formation of the Human Sylvian Fissure," by Burt G. Wilder; "Structure of the Stomach of Amia Calva," by G. S. Hopkins; "Differentiation of the Primitive Segments in Vertebrates," by Charles S. Minot; "A Support for the Chorda Tympani Nerve in Felidae," by T. B. Spence; "Notes on the Amphibia of Ithaca," by Simon H. Gage and H. W. Norris; "Account of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Wood's Holl," by Charles S. Minot; "The Desirability of establishing a Biological Station on the Gulf of Mexico," by W. P. Wilson: "Notes on a Monograph of the Genus Lechea," by Nathaniel L. Britton; "The Specific Germ of the Carnation Discare," by J. C. Arthur and Henry L. Bolley; "Notes upon Plants collected by Dr. Ed. Palmer at La Paz, Lower California, in 1890," by J. N. Rose; "Notes upon the Crystals in Certain Species of the Arum Family," by William R. Lazenby; and "Notes on Isopyrum Biternatum," by Charles W. Hargitt.

H. Anthropology.-The presiding officer of this section was Frank Baker, who delivered his address on "The Ascent of Man." In it he defined anthropology as the " comprehensive study of man, his origin, development, and present condition." He referred to the career of man through his long ages of evolution, and then passed to those special characteristics, such as "the modification of the limbs, with the erect position and segmentation of the body." Concerning the erect position of man, he said that it "is gradually acquired, and the difficulty that an infant experiences in learning to walk erect is strong evidence that it is an accomplishment acquired by the race late in its history. The human body gives evidence of a previous semi-erect position. The special changes of structure that secure the erect position are less marked in children and in the lower races. In the course of evolution of these changes there is a period of struggle before the body becomes thoroughly adapted to them." His address concluded with: "The results of the erect position, of increased size of brain, of greater

specialization of limbs, are almost incalculably great, so great that they affect the whole life of the animal, control his habits, direct his actions in war and in the chase, and finally mold peoples, nations, and races." The following-named papers were read:

"Indian Origin of Maple Sugar," by Henry W. Henshaw; "Fort Ancient," by Warren K. Moorehead; Aboriginal Stone Implements of the Potomac Valley," by William H. Holmes; "Suggestion for a PanAmerican as Precursor to an Universal Language,' by R. T. Colburn; "Dialectic Studies in the Swedish Province of Dalecarlia" and " Peculiar Effects of One-sided Occupations on the Anatomy and Physiology of Man," by J, Muller; "Exhibition of Diagrams of the Brains and Medisected Heads of Man and a Chimpanzee," by Burt G. Wilder: "Exhibition of a Bone Image from Livingston County, N. Y." and "Exhibition of Gold Beads of Indian Manufacture from Florida and New Jersey," by Charles C. Abbott; "Notice of a Singular Earth-work near Fosters, Little Maimi Valley, Ohio," by Frederick W. Putnam; "A Study in Mental Statistics," by Joseph Jastrow; "Arts of Modern Savages for interpreting Archæology," by Otis T. Mason; "The Form of the External Ear," by H. D. Garrison; 66 Preliminary Steps to an Archæological Map of Franklin County, Indiana," by Harry M. Stoops; "The Relation of Mind to its Physical Basis," by Edward D. Cope; "Remarks upon the Mounds of Sullivan County, Indiana," by John W. Spencer; "On the Atbatl, or Spear-throwers, of Ancient Mexico," by Zelia Nuttall; "On an Ancient Hearth in the Little Miami Valley," by Frederick W. Putnam; "The Evolution of a Sect," by Anita N. McGee; and "On Obsidian Implements of California," "The Basket-Mortar of Southern California," and "The Adze," by H. N. Rust.

I. Economic Science and Statistics.-This

section was presided over by J. Richards Dodge, the statistician of the United States Department of Agriculture, who chose as the subject of his address "The Standard of Living in America." After a full analysis of the facts, he reached "the inevitable conclusion that the people, the workers in all the hives of industry, the constructive forces of the nation, exist upon a higher plane than those of any other country." As to the question, "Shall the present standard of living be maintained?" he said: "It is a point upon which hangs the future education, enterprise. independence, and prosperity of the people of the United States. It depends on the industry of the producing classes and wisdom in the distribution of their labor for a production that shall meet their wants. If idleness shall be encouraged, production limited, importation enlarged, and dependence on foreign countries fostered, wages will be reduced and the ability to purchase, as well as the volume of production, will decline. If the advice of public and private teachers of repressive economy-to buy everything abroad and sit down in the enjoyment of the luxury of laziness at home-shall become the law of the land, short rations will follow, and high prices will only be abated by the inability of our peoThe papers ple to purchase for consumption.' read before this section were:

"American Money Past and Present," by S. Dana Horton; "Natural Resources of Loudon County, Va," by Laura O. Talbot; "The Forest as a National Resource," by Bernhard E. Fernow; "Biological Factors in Nutrition of Farm Crops," by Manly Miles; "The Right Application of Heat to the Conversion of Food Materials," by Edward Atkinson; “ Municipal Corporations and Natural Gas Supply," by Edward

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Orton; "The Utilization of Surplus Labor," by James H. Kellogg; "Economic Value of the Energy of Neglected Children," by Laura O. Talbot; " Instruments of Valuation, or the Nature of Money Units," by S. Dana Horton ; Refrigerating Power of Trees," by Jacob Reese; "The Constitutionality of our National Economic Policy," by William S. Hill; "Hy. gienic Advantages of the Sterilization of Milk and its Best Methods," by Mary H. Abel and Ellen H. Richards; "The Ethics of Strikes," by William H. Hale; and The Floods of the Mississippi, and how to prevent them," by George W. Holley.

Popular Features of the Proceedings. On the evening of Aug. 23 Rev. Horace C. Hovey delivered a lecture on the Wyandotte, Marengo, and Mammoth Caves, illustrated by projections of original photographs. Similarly on Aug. 24 C. Leo Mees delivered a lecture on "Electricity." These lectures were in compliment to the citizens of Indianapolis. On Aug. 22 Sections A, B, C, and D held their sessions in Terre Haute, where they were the guests of the Science Club of that city. The meeting-place was the Rose Polytechnic Institute, which was placed at their disposal by its officers. A reception to the ladies in at tendance at the meeting was given by Mayor and Mrs. Thomas L. Sullivan, at their residence, on Aug 20; also in the evening a reception was given at the Institution for the Blind. A garden party at the residence of Alfred F. Potts, secretary of the Local Committee, was tendered on the evening of Aug. 21, at which Gen. Lew. Wallace made an address of welcome. Saturday of the meeting is always devoted to some excursion, and on this occasion a trip was arranged to cover the natural-gas territory of Indiana. A special train was provided, which left Indianapolis on Aug. 23, and went north over the Lake Erie and Western Railroad through Noblesville to Kokomo, where the gas field was explored, and a visit was made to the largest plate-glass factory in the United States and other establishments where natural gas is applied to manufacturing. From Kokomo, the party was taken to Marion, thence to Muncie, and from Muncie to Anderson, where a magnificent display of gas at night was given, embracing a beautiful and fantastic feature by the introduction of a gas main under the river. From Anderson the party returned to Indianapolis. Subsequent to the meeting excursions were made to Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, and to Marengo Cave, Indiana.

Affiliated Organizations.-The Society for the Promotion of Agricultural Science and the American Geological Society held meetings during Aug. 18 and 19, prior to the regular session of the association. The Entomological Club of the association and the Botanical Club of the association convened as usual for their special objects. For the latter an excursion to South Waveland was provided, whence they visited the "Shades of Death."

Final Sessions.-At the last meeting of the general session business growing out of the work accomplished during the week was transacted. Among the important reports considered were the following: One instructing the Committee on Forestry to bring the matter of preserving the groves of sequoia trees of California to the special attention of Congress and the Secretary of the Interior; a resolution recognizing the serv

ices to science of Señors Barao de Girahy and José Carlos de Carvalho of Brazil in causing the transportation from the interior of Bahia to the Museum in Rio de Janeiro of the famous Bendigo meteorite; progress from the Committee on Reduction of the Tariff on Scientific Books was reported; it was resolved that the Secretary of the Navy be requested to consider the memorial recently presented by various observatories relative to furnishing of time signals to the Western Union Telegraph Company by the Naval Observatory for commercial purposes. The sum of $250 was appropriated from the Research fund for the continuation of the investigation of the velocity of light in the magnetic field. A resolution empowering the permanent secretary to extend invitations to the governments of Mexico, and Central and South America to send delegates from the scientific societies of those countries to the meeting at Washington was adopted. The secretary reported 364 to be the total number of members registered, and that 259 papers were presented before the association at the meeting.

Next Meeting.-The meeting in 1891 will be held in Washington, D. C., during August. The following officers were chosen :

President, Albert B. Prescott, Ann Arbor, Mich. Vice-Presidents: A, Edward W. Hyde, Cincinnati, Ohio; B, Francis E. Nipher, St. Louis, Mo.; C, Robert C. Kedzie, Agricultural College, Mich.; D, Thomas Gray, Terre Haute, Ind.; E, John J. Stevenson, New York city; F, John M. Coulter, Crawfordsville, Ind.; H, Joseph Jastrow, Madison, Wis.; I, Edmund J. James, Philadelphia, Pa. Permanent Secretary, Frederick W. Putnam, Cambridge, Mass. General Secretary, Harvey W. Wiley, Washington, D. C. Secretary of the Council, Amos W. Butler, Brookville, Ind. Auditors, Henry Wheatland, Salem, Mass.; Thomas Meehan, Germantown, Pa. Secretaries of sections: A, E. D. Preston, Washington, D. C.; B, Alexander Macfarlane, Austin, Tex.; C, Thomas H. Norton, Cincinnati, Ohio; D, William Kent, New York; E, W J McGee, Washington, D. C.; F. Albert J. Cook, Agricultural College, Mich.; H, William H. Holmes, Washington, D. C.; I, Bernhard E. Fernow, Washington, D. C. Treasurer, William Lilly, Mauch Chunk, Pa. Besides which 89 fellows were elected and James Hall, one of the

founders of the American Association of Geologists and Naturalists and State Geologist of New York, was elected to the grade of honorary fellowship for life.

British. The sixtieth annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science was held in Leeds. Its sessions began on Sept. 3, and continued for one week. The officers were: Sir Frederick A. Abel, President of the Association. Section Presidents: A, Mathematical and Physical Science, J. W. L. Glaisher: B, Chemical Science, Thomas E. Thorpe; C, Geology, A. H. Green; D, Biology, A. Milnes Marshall; E, Geography, Lieut.-Col. Sir R. Lambert Playfair; F. Economic Science and Statistics, Alfred Marshall; G, Mechanical Science, Capt. Andrew Noble; H, Anthropology, John Evans. A. W. Williamson, General Treasurer; and Sir Douglas Galton and A. Vernon Harcourt, General Secretaries.

General Session.-The first session met on Sept. 3, when President William H. Flower called the association to order, and the exercises began with the reading of the report of the council for 1889-'90. It contained the announcement of the election of the following corresponding members from abroad; M. A. Gobert, Brussels, Belgium; G.Gilsen, Louvain, Belgium; F. Nansen, Christi

SIR FREDERICK A. ABEL.

ania, Sweden; and A. S. Packard, Providence, R. I. Also it advised the printing in full of the following papers: "The Incidence and Effects of Import and Export Duties," by C. F. Bastable, and "The Comtist Criticism of Economic Science," by Rev. Dr. Cunningham. The council were recommended to urge upon the Government of India: "(a) The desirability of procuring anthropometric measurements of a representative series of tribes and castes in the Punjab, Bombay, Madras, the Central Provinces, and Assam, it being understood that trained observers are already available. (b) Also that in the enumerators' schedule of the census of 1891 provision should be made for recording not only the caste to which a man belongs, but also the endogamous and exogamous groups within which he is a member." Correspondence toward the accomplishment of the forgoing purpose had been conducted with the Indian officials through the office of the Secretary of State for India. The committee also recommended the publication of the report of the committee on a uniform nomenclature for the fundamental units of mechanics. The treasurer submitted the balance-sheet for the year, showing an excess of expenditure over receipts of £753 98. The sectional officers were then elected, including the presidents mentioned above, six or more vice-presidents, and four secretaries. In the evening the association assembled in the Coliseum, and President Flower introduced the incoming president, gracefully referring to Sir Frederick Abel's researches in regard to explosives as tending to diminish the horrors of war, as well as to the great part which he had played in endeavoring to prevent mining accidents.

The President's Address.-On this occasion the president dwelt upon the advances made in the practical applications of electricity to the telegraph, to the telephone, as a tractive force, and as an illuminant; upon the modern chemis

try of metallurgy; upon the modern development of explosives; upon the greater safety of mines; and upon the increased employment of natural mineral oil and gas for the purposes of heating and of illumination. In opening, he referred to the meeting held in Leeds in 1858, under the presidency of Richard Owen, and then to the illustrious men who were born or lived in the vicinity. Of Priestley, who was born within six miles of Leeds, he said that his "name holds rank among the foremost of successful workers in science; who, by brilliant powers of experimental investigation, rapidly achieved a series of discoveries which helped largely to dispel the shroud of mystery surrounding the art of alchemy, and to lay the foundation of true chemical science." Further, he said: "His acquaintance with Franklin probably developed the taste for the study of electric science which led him to labor successfully in this direction." Then, passing to the development of applied science, he first considered electricity, in which the greatest strides have been made since the association met in Leeds in 1858." It was in that year that the first Atlantic cable was successfully laid, and so he described the advances made by the application of electricity to telegraphy. He told of the early history of electric lighting and the telephone, and of the wire lighting companies now in London, while "there are already twentyseven lighting stations actually at work in different towns, besides others in course of establishment, and many more projected." Continuing in this direction, he added: "Our recent progress is insignificant compared with the strides made in the application of electric lighting in the United States." Of the telephone, he told how the National Telephone Company "has now 22,743 exchange lines, besides nearly 5,000 private lines; its exchanges number 272, and its call offices 326. The number of instruments under rental in England has now reached 99,000." The electric transmission of power and its application to railways and to water traffic were described. Under the head of electric welding and fusing, he described the results achieved by Elihu Thomson and the Cowles Brothers in this country. This led to the aluminum alloys, and of the Castner process at Oldbury he said that it "constitutes one of the most interesting of recent illustrations of the progress made in technical chemistry, consequent upon the happy blending of chemical with mechanical science, through the labors of the chemical engineer.' (Castner is an American, and studied chemistry in New York. He is now but thirty years of age.) Other metallurgical advances were discussed and much credit was given to the American metallurgists for their work. The progress made by sanitary science since the period of the Crimean War was described, after which he took up that branch of science which is peculiarly his own, namely, explosives. He first considered in detail the improvements made in explosives and cannon powders since 1858. In this part he gave credit to the work done by Rodman and Doremus, but described in full the results of experiments made by Capt. Noble and himself at Waltham Abbey. The smokeless powders received full consideration, and the French, German, Belgian, and English inventions were described.