New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-28
to him. The system of derricks is an excel
lent objective point for refomers.
urANs or ADVANCING SCIENCE.

MEANS or ADVANCING SCIENCE.
The rapid increase of popular interest within
n very few wears in all scientific matters makes
II desirable to take note of the principal
agencies by which its progress is aided anu
recorded. There is q host Of local scientific
societies, each doing good work with more or
less vigor, and keeping up correspondence with
each other through the Smithsonian lnstitu-
ton, which acts the part of general clearing
house for scientific exchanges. But outside Oh
the immediate circle Of their members the
work of these societies is almost unknown, ex-
cent through the brief reports OF their pro-
ceedngs in The TRIBUNE and the publication
| of few of their communications in scientific
or technical magazines of limited circulation.
In addition to these there are two important
scientific bodies that have many points OF
similarity. They both deal exclusively with
the natural sciences at the meetings OF both,
communications on these subjects arc presented
that are original and have not before been
| published; and both are national ana ara"
| their membership from all parts OF the co"h-
try. But the National Academy of Sciences Is
| exceedingly restricted as to the number OF us
| members, takes no pains to secure popular at
tendance Mt its meetings, and does not publish at
| oll the scientific communications it receives Inc
I American Association for the Advancement OF
Science makes q successful bid for a wider
no,ularity. 1t has about thousand membe rs,
| and Is increasing every year both in influence
| and numbers An important change in its
| constitution is contemplated at its meeting the
18th of August next at Hartford, which Is
expected to add to its cohesive force and
dignity; measure that will, it Is hoped,
secure TO it such substantial benefits as have
| accrued under q somewhat similar plan OIL
organization to its British namesake. But III
respect to publication of the communications
presented at its meetings the American Asso-
| citation is confined to volume OF proceedings
| issued to its members usually about ten months
after the meeting, and when the interest in
the novelty OF the subjects has measurably
passed away.
Deeming the prompt publication Of this
class OF news in a form to give 1t the Widest
publlcly a measure Of the greatest advantage
| to science as well as of Interest to our read
crs TIE TRIBUNE has taken pains to secure
for its columns immediate reports of these
scientific meetings, and to republish them IN
the more convenient form of extras. Because
of want of space, it frequently happens that
portions of the reports are lett OUT Oh inc
daily editions of the paper; these are re-
stored in the extras. This was notably
the case with the recent reports OF tho
proceedings of the National Academy. In
extra No. 10, published in sheet form
this morning, there is q great variety OF
scientific and other matter, of which DO
considerable portion has ever been published
elsewhere than in TIE TRIBUNE. The table
of contents is too long for transcription here,
but among them we may mention the proceed
ings of the National Academy of Sciences at
Washington and the American Oriental Society
at Boston, covering many interesting and novel
topics; the lecture of DIR. BrOwn-Sequard on
double brains, of DIR. Hammond on the effects
of alcohol, and of Mr.. Fields on the poet
Longfelow q full description, with map, OF
the exploring expeditions of Lieut.. Wheeler at
the West; illustrated accounts of q method OF
building safe iron steamships, and of Prof.
Marshs discoveries of fossil horses in America.
The extra is sheet Of eight TRIBUNE pages,
and is sent by mail to any address for ten
cents. 1t will also be issued in pamphlet form
| (price 90 cents) within few days.
|