cumulation of facts is only the beginning; that it is only laying the foundation on which the man of high ability must rear the superstructure. I also mean that from now on it is essential to recognize that the best scientific men must largely work in the great out-of-doors laboratory of nature. It is only such out-doors work which will give us the chance to interpret aright the laboratory observations.

In the New York State Museum Bulletin, published last July, there are pictures of two birds, once common in America, now totally extinct. One is the passenger pigeon and the other the Labrador duck. The passenger pigeon formerly existed in this state in millions, and the Labrador duck was common off the coast. The passenger pigeon has been been exterminated through sheer brutal, reckless, and largely wanton, slaughter, by our so-called civilized people. The Labrador duck became extinct from causes of which we are absolutely ignorant. There are plenty of stuffed specimens of both in museums. But in the case of neither do these stuffed specimens throw any real light on the birds' life history. As regards the Labrador duck, we shall in all probability never know the particulars of its life history, nor the causes of its sudden extinction. As regards the passenger pigeon, in its physical structure (which in its essentials is strikingly like that of our common mourning dove) there is nothing which would give the least hint of its extraordinary habits, of the innumerable myriads in which it moved fitfully hither and thither over the land, and of the enormous extent of its shifting nesting sites. There is now no other bird in the world with such habits; and the stuffed specimens that remain of it do not, all put together, begin to equal in value the written records dealing with it in such oldstyle natural histories as those of Wilson

and Audubon. There are many points in its life's history which are still obscure, and these points are obscure chiefly because so few of the many ornithologists, who abounded in this country at the time of its extinction, had any idea that their closet work in museums was of no consequence whatever compared to a thorough and careful life study of the passenger pigeon. The extinction of the passenger pigeon is a blot on our civilization (and let me remark parenthetically that every society of this kind should be a focus of effort to prevent any of the birds we still have from following in the wake of the passenger pigeon); but, inasmuch as it is extinct, it is well for us to remember that we owe an incalculable debt to the observers who have left for us a record of its life history, whereas we owe only a very small and easily calculated debt to those who merely collected specimens of it for their collections.

Let the scientific man realize that he must be a good first-hand observer of wild things in their native haunts, if he is to stand in the first rank of his profession. Let him also remember that it is his business to write well! Of course, he can not be expected to write as well as John Burroughs; but he ought to have writings like those of John Burroughs before him, to represent the ideal toward which he strives. Let him strive to do original work, the work of original productive scientific scholarship.

The New York Zoological Park, under the guidance of Dr. Hornaday, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, under the guidance of Mr. Osborn and Mr. Chapman, have furnished models in this matter. The three gentlemen named have done original productive scientific work of the highest value, at the same time that they have in every way popularizednot cheapened!-science, and made the present and the past life history of this

planet accessible in vivid and striking form to our people generally. Their assistants have done hazardous and exceedingly interesting and important work in the wildest of the waste spaces of the world. It has been my privilege to journey through the East Central African wilderness and the Brazilian wilderness in company with outdoor faunal naturalists-Mearns, Heller, Cherrie, Miller, Loring-and myself to witness the hazard and the high value of their work; and last winter I visited in Demerara Mr. Beebe's really extraordinary field laboratory for intimate biological research in the tropics, and I count it one of the privileges and pleasures of my life to have worked with these men.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

DEDICATION OF THE CERAMIC ENGINEERING BUILDING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

ON December 6 and 7, the University of Illinois, dedicated its new ceramic engineering building. The dedication exercises were opened at 1.30 P.M. on Wednesday, December 6, by a meeting of the advisory board of the department, followed by a reception in the building, at which all of the laboratories were thrown open to the visiting guests and the university public.

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On the evening of Wednesday an introductory session was held in the university auditorium, presided over by Dr. Edmund J. James, president of the university. At this session, Dr. S. W. Stratton, director of the National Bureau of Standards, gave an address on "The Ceramic Resources of America." This was followed by an address on Science as an Agency in the Development of the Portland-Cement Industries," by Mr. J. P. Beck, general manager of the Portland Cement Association of Chicago. Dr. Stratton discussed the organization and formation of the different types of clay deposits together with their most prominent geological and geographical

positions in the United States. This was followed by a discussion of the reactions occurring during the burning of clay products. A detailed classification of the various clay products fashioned from ceramic materials was also presented. The whole address gave a very clear idea of the great variety and extent of the clay resources of the nation and the multifold products which are manufactured from them.

The second dedicatory session was of a technical nature and assembled on Thursday morning in the university auditorium. It was opened with an address on "The Manufacturer's Dependence upon Ceramic Research" by Mr. W. D. Gates, president of the American Terra Cotta and Ceramic Company, of Chicago. This was followed by further discussions by Mr. Ross C. Purdy, research engineer of the Norton Company, and by Mr. L. E. Barringer, engineer of insulations for the General Electric Company. Mr. C. H. Kerr, who was to discuss the same topic from the standpoint of the problems of the glass industries, was unable to be present, but sent his discussion for presentation.

The second address of this session was given by Mr. W. W. Marr, chief state highway engineer of Illinois, upon the topic "The Use of Ceramic Materials in Highway Construction." This paper was discussed in a very interesting manner by Mr. Blair, secretary of the National Paving Brick Manufacturers' Association, of Cleveland, Ohio, and by Mr. G. G. Wooley, engineer for the Road Bureau of the Portland Cement Association, Chicago. A paper on the topic "Ceramic Products as Structural Materials " was presented by Mr. H. J. Burt, structural engineer, of Chicago, and discussed by Mr. A. V. Bleininger, ceramic chemist and head of the clay products laboratory of the United States Bureau of Standards.

The last topic for discussion at this session was "The Use of Ceramic Products in the Artistic Embellishment of Buildings." The discussion was opened with a paper by Mr. Claude Bragdon, author and architect of

Rochester, New York, which was discussed by Mr. G. C. Mars, of St. Louis. Mr. F. Wm. Walker, who was to have discussed the same topic, was unable to be present.

At the close of the forenoon session, the speakers and guests of the university were entertained at luncheon at the University Club by the dean and heads of departments of the College of Engineering. The formal session of dedication convened at the university auditorium in the afternoon. It was presided over by Dean W. F. M. Goss, of the college of engineering. Introductory addresses were made by the Honorable Edward F. Dunne, governor of the state of Illinois, and by Honorable W. L. Abbott, president of the board of trustees of the University of Illinois. The principal address of this session was then given by Professor Charles F. Binns, director of the New York State School of Clayworking and Ceramics, upon the topic "The History of the Ceramic Arts." The exercises were closed with an address by the president of the university, describing the history of the growth of the department of ceramic engineering. After singing "America " the audience marched to the new building where the prayer of dedication was delivered by the Rev. John Mitchell Page.

On the evening of the 7th, an Illinois student branch of the American Ceramic Society was formally installed by Mr. L. E. Barringer, president of the society.

An illustrated booklet describing the department of ceramic engineering, its organization, purposes and equipment was published by the university for distribution at the dedication exercises.

"SCIENCE" AND THE COST OF PAPER

THE price of the paper on which SCIENCE is printed has increased from four and one quarter to ten cents a pound, and this makes the cost of supplying the fifty-two annual copies of SCIENCE to members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science greater than the amount paid for them, apart from editorial expenses and the cost of composition. Under these circumstances it is

necessary to adopt one of three alternatives: (1) To use news print paper, which is difficult to obtain and is not durable; (2) to increase the subscription price, as has been done by the Outlook, the Independent and other journals, but an increase could not go into effect for a year, and it is to be hoped that the abnormal price of paper is temporary; (3) to diminish the size of the numbers. This, although regrettable, appears to be the least unfortunate of the alternatives, as the regular number of pages can be used when conditions become normal.

For the present, therefore, SCIENCE will be reduced in size to two sheets with a cover. The cover is used to improve the appearance of the journal, and is feasible because the cost of cover paper has not increased in proportion to the cost of book paper. The cover also permits trimming the copies without injury to the appearance of the journal. Hitherto trimmed and untrimmed copies have been sent to subscribers as requested, but this complicates the subscription list, and there seems to be a general opinion that the copies should be trimmed, in spite of the fact that untrimmed copies are preferred for binding. The most distinguished American efficiency expert remarked this week that if the time of scientific men should be estimated at its true value the cost of opening SCIENCE by hand would be over $10,000 a year.

In order to effect a further saving in paper the index and title page for the volume will be sent to libraries as usual, but only to individuals who apply for them. This plan is followed by other weekly journals, for the index is only of use to those who bind the numbers.

As has been already announced, members of the American Association whose dues are paid later than January 1, will receive the back numbers of SCIENCE only on payment of one cent a number to cover the extra cost of mailing. It can not be guaranteed that the copies will be supplied, as, owing to the cost of paper, only so many extra copies will be provided as are likely to be needed. The offices of the permanent secretary of the association and of SCIENCE will be greatly assisted by the prompt payment of dues.

SCIENTIFIC NOTES AND NEWS

AT the meetings in New York last week, Professor George H. Shull, professor of botany in Princeton University, was elected president of the American Society of Naturalists; Professor Frederic S. Lee, of Columbia University, president of the American Physiological Society, and Professor Robert M. Yerkes, of Harvard University, president of the American Psychological Association.

MR. E. B. WILLIAMSON has been appointed to the position of curator of Odonata in the Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan. He will retain his residence at Bluffton, Ind., and will direct most of the work in his department from there, making frequent trips to Ann Arbor to inspect the collections. Mr. Williamson is at present on a collecting trip in the Santa Marta Mountains, Colombia.

MR. J. ALFRED HARDCASTLE has been appointed to be astronomer to the Armagh Observatory in the room of Dr. J. E. L. Dreyer, who recently resigned to take up work at Oxford. Mr. Hardcastle is a grandson of the late Sir John Herschel, and has for many years been a university extension lecturer both for Oxford and Cambridge. The two distinguished occupants of the office who have preceded him-Dr. Dreyer and Dr. Romney Robison-held it for almost 100 years.

IRVING FISHER, professor of political economy in Yale University, has been appointed lecturer on the Hitchcock Foundation for the fall of 1917 at the University of California. He will give a series of lectures on "Price Levels," between October 1 and 14, 1917.

WALLACE CAMPBELL, son of Director W. W. Campbell of the Lick Observatory, has been appointed teaching fellow in astronomy in the University of California, succeeding F. J. Neubauer, who becomes university fellow in the Lick Observatory.

PROVOST EDGAR F. SMITH, of the University of Pennsylvania, visited Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, where he was professor of natural science in the early eighties and the Ohio State University, Columbus, O., Friday evening, November 24, where he delivered a lecture before the Columbus Section

of the American Chemical Society on 66 Robert Hare, a Pioneer American Chemist."

THE ninety-first course of Christmas lectures to juvenile audiences at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, which were instituted by Michael Faraday in 1826, are being given by Professor Arthur Keith, F.R.S., on December 28, 30, January 2, 4, 6 and 9, at 3 o'clock on each day. His subject is "The Human Machine which All Must Work." At a later date Professor C. S. Sherrington, F.R.S., will give six lectures on the old brain and the new brain and their meaning, and on pain and its nervous basis. The first Friday evening discourse will be given on January 19, when Professor Sir James Dewar will lecture on soap bubbles of long duration.

DR. W. W. KEEN, president of the American Philosophical Society, writes: "In the most impressive list of honors-so richly deservedbestowed upon Professor Simon Newcomb as published by Mr. Archibald in your issue for December 22, 1916, there is one slight inaccuracy which I beg leave to correct. Under date of January 1, 1909, it is stated that Professor Newcomb was elected vice-president of the American Philosophical Society. Professor Newcomb was elected vice-president in January, 1905, and was re-elected every year up to and including 1909, the year of his death."

DR. T. H. BEAN, chief of the division of fish culture of the conservation commission of New York, and prominent in the work throughout the United States, died on December 28, in Albany, as the result of being struck by an automobile six weeks ago.

DR. CLAUDE L. WHEELER, editor of the New York Medical Journal, died on December 30, in Brooklyn.

MR. CLEMENT Reid, F.R.S., late of the British Geological Survey, died on December 16, at sixty-three years of age.

THE death is announced of Mr. A. M. Worthington, F.R.S., formerly professor of physics at the Royal Naval College, Green

wich.

MR. W. ELLIS, F.R.S., formerly superintendent of the magnetical and meteorological

department, Royal Observatory, Greenwich, died on December 11, in his eighty-ninth year. THE death is announced, in his eighty-sixth year, of Dr. Richard Norris, formerly professor of physiology in Queen's College, College, Birmingham.

REPORTS have reached this country of the death of Professor Max Lühe, of Königsberg, Prussia, in a field hospital in Russia, on May 3, 1916, at the age of forty-six years. Dr. Lühe's work in protozoology and parasitology is well known.

THE trustees of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research have passed the following vote:

Resolved: That in recognition of the decreased purchasing power of fixed salaries caused by the increased cost of living, an additional and special compensation, equal to fifteen per cent. of the current annual salary, be paid to each regular officer and employee of the institute, said sum to be paid on January 5, 1917; it being understood that this is not an increase of salary and does not create any precedent for the future. In the case of employees who have served less than one year the payment will be fifteen per cent. of the amount actually received up to December 31, 1916.

It is to be hoped that this resolution will be brought to the attention of trustees of all educational and scientific institutions.

PLANS are under way at the headquarters of the American Institute of Mining Engineers for the one hundred and fourteenth meeting of the institute to be held in New York from February 19 to 22 inclusive. It is expected that this meeting will bring out discussions of an important character regarding the development of mining methods in recent times and some of the immediate problems. About 500 mining engineers from many different parts of the world will be in attendance. Since the western meeting of the institute in September, its membership has increased by more than 200 members. In the past three years the enrollment has risen from 4,284 to 5,922. This increase is regarded as an important commentary on the development of mining in this country, the membership of the institute being limited to those engaged in mining, and metallurgical engineering, geol

ogy or chemistry. The officers of the American Institute of Mining Engineers are L. D. Ricketts, president; Sidney J. Jennings, first vice-president; George C. Stone, treasurer, and Bradley Stoughton, secretary.

THE British Medical Journal states that the Italian minister of war recently invited medical women to offer themselves for military service. Graduates of more than five years' standing are to have the rank of sublieutenant; those of more than fifteen years' standing that of captain. Signora Filomena Corvini is the first woman who has received a commission. She has been appointed to the 9th Army Corps for service at the front.

THE late Dr. Magnan, a former president of the Paris Academy of Medicine, has left to that body a sum of £1,000 to found a triennial prize to be awarded to the author of the best work on a psychiatrical subject.

IN her will Mrs. Mary Palmer Draper, who died on December 8, 1914, left gifts exceeding $450,000 to the New York Public Library and a legacy of $150,000 to the Harvard College Observatory, where she had already established the Draper Memorial. The report made by Appraiser Berwin reveals that the net estate amounted to $1,630,220 and is insufficient to pay the specific bequests in full. Accordingly they have been abated proportionately. The gifts to the New York Public Library as enumerated were: Books, portraits, engraved gems, etchings and engravings, $25,548 in value; cash bequests of $250,000, abated to $238,836, and a remainder interest in the trust fund for Rosin B. Palmer, $64,796 in value. The bequests severally were to found the John S. Billings Memorial Fund for the purchase of books and the Anna Palmer Draper Fund as a memorial to the decedent's father. The bequest to Harvard is abated to $143,301. Under the terms of the will this is to be expended in preserving and using the photographic plates of the Draper Memorial. Mrs. Draper gave her husband's plates and scientific apparatus previously loaned to the observatory. The Polyclinic Hospital, which was to receive $50,000, will get $47,767. The Children's Aid Society, the New York Association for Improving