The vascular anatomy of dimerous and trimerous seedlings of Phaseolus vulgaris: J. ARTHUR HARRIS, E. W. SINNOTT AND J. Y. PENNY PACKER. Genetic investigations in Crepis: E. B. BABCOCK (read by title.) Relationships among the genes for color variation Known matings in a species with heteromorphic homologous chromosomes; recombinations obtained in F, and F.: E. ELEANOR CAROTHERS. The relation of the somatic chromosomes in Enonothera Lamarckiana and O. gigas: R. T. HANCE. Concerning the inheritance of broodiness in domestic fowl: H. D. GOODALE (read by title.) Heredity of twining from the paternal side: C. B. DAVENPORT. Notes on the human sex ratio: C. C. LITTLE. A series of allelomorphs in Drosophila with non- The Naturalists' dinner was held on the evening of December 30 in the dining hall of the Graduate School of Princeton University with eighty-two in attendance. The presidential address by Edward M. East was entitled "Population.'' The officers of the society for 1920 are: President-Jacques Loeb, Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research. Vice-president-Bradley M. Davis, University of Michigan. Secretary A. Franklin Shull, University of Michigan (1920-22). Treasurer-J. Arthur Harris, Carnegie Station for Experimental Evolution (1918-20). Additional members of the Executive Committee-John H. Gerould, Dartmouth College (1920); George H. Shull, Princeton University (1918-20); William E. Castle, Harvard University (1919-21); Edward M. East, Harvard University (1920-22). BRADLEY M. DAVIS, Secretary THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY THE twenty-first annual meeting (the 101st regular meeting) of the American Physical Society was held at Soldan High School in St. Louis, Missouri, on December 30, 31, 1919, and January 1, 1920, in affiliation with Section B-Physics-of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. At the business session held on December 31, 1919, officers for 1920 were elected as follows: President-J. S. Ames. Vice-president Theodore Lyman. Managing Editor-F. Bedell. Councillors-F. B. Jewett and Max Mason. Members of the Editorial Board-E. L. Nichols, C. M. Sparrow and W. F. G. Swann. The question of the relation of the society to the work of the trustees for the Preparation of Critical Tables of Physical and Chemical Constants was brought before the society; after discussion it was, by general consent, referred to the president, the councillor and the trustee representing the society, for such action as may seem best. At the meeting of the council held on December 30, 1919, the following elections were made: to regular membership, T. H. Gronwall, E. H. Kennard, Henry A. McTaggart; to associate membership, William H. Agnew, W. H. Bair, Vola P. Barton, Henry M. Brook, J. T. Lindsay Brown, John A. David, E. C. Gaskill, Charles W. Henderson, F. F. Householder, Teizo Isshiki, Charles S. Jewell, P. Kirkpatrick, F. W. Kranz, Charles P. Miller, George S. Monk, Chalmer N. Patterson, Herbert J. Plagge, Geo. E. Raburn, S. P. Shackleton, George C. Southworth, John Alden Terrell, John A. Tobin, A. P. Vanselow, E. E. Zimmerman; transferred from associate to regular membership, Harold D. Babcock, Clifton G. Found, R. C. Gibbs, J. A. Gray, Frank B. Jewett, Edwin C. Kemble, Fred Loomis Mohler, Lindley Pyle, C. V. Raman, Paul E. Sabine, F. B. Silsbee, Elmer H. Williams. On Tuesday afternoon, December 30, 1919, the president, J. S. Ames, delivered an address on "Einstein's theory of gravitation and some of its consequences." This was a masterly presentation of the development and conclusions of this theory, and it was listened to by the largest audience of the meetings. The session on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 31, 1919, was under the auspices of Section B-Physics-of the American Association of the Advancement of Science. The retiring chairman of Section B, Dr. G. F. Hull, gave an address on "Some aspects of physics in war and peace." Following this there was a symposium of four special papers on "Phenomena in the ultra-violet spectrum, including X-rays," by R. A. Millikan, D. L. Webster, Wm. Duane and A. W. Hull. The programs consisted of thirty-four papers, six of which were read by title only, presented at four different sessions. The program of eight papers given at the session of Wednesday morning, consisted exclusively of papers relating to acoustics. The average attendance was about eighty-five, the maximum being about one hundred and twentyfive. The program was as follows: Variation of transparency to total radiation with temperature of source: S. LEROY BROWN. The dissipation of heat by various surfaces in still air: T. S. TAYLOR. The influence of air velocity and the angle of incidence on the dissipation of heat: T. S. TAYLOR. The measurement of thermal expansion of metals at ordinary temperatures: CHARLES D. HODG MAN. A method for determining the photographic absorption of lenses: G. W. MOFFITT. Defects in centered quadric lenses: IRWIN ROMAN. The sinker method applied to the rapid and accurate determination of specific gravities: N. W. CUMMINGS. (Read by title.) Amplification of currents in the Bunsen flame: C. W. HEAPS. A new type of non-inductive resistance: H. L. DODGE. Some laboratory uses for the contract rectifier: J. C. JENSEN. An undamped wave method of determining dielec tric constants of liquids: W. H. HYSLOP and A. P. CARMAN. (Read by title.) Difficulties in the theory of rain formation: W. J. HUMPHREYS. A physical theory of ocean or reservoir temperature distributions, regarded as effects of solar radiation, evaporation and the resulting convection: GEO. F. MCEWEN. Electromagnetic induction and relative motion: W. F. G. SWANN. The influence of blowing pressure on pitch of organ pipes: ARTHUR C. LUnn. A photographic study of explosions in gases: JOHN B. DUTCHER. A photographic study of sound pulses through crooked and curved tubes, with deductions concerning telephone mouthpieces, phonograph horns, etc.: ARTHUR L. FOLEY. A photographic method of measuring the instantaneous velocity of sound waves at points near the source: ARTHUR L. FOLEY. A possible standard of sound-I., study of operating conditions; II., study of wave form: CHAS. T. KNIPP. The performance of conical horns: G. W. STEWART. A photographic study of the wave-form of sounds from large guns in action: DAYTON C. MILLER. The calibration of a sound chamber and sound sources and the measurement of sound transmission of simple partitions: PAUL E. SABINE. Transmissions of sound through walls: F. R. WATSON. Charcoal absorption and cyclic changes: THOS. E. The heat of vaporization and work of ionization: C. CHESTER W. RICE. radiations: The spectrum of radium emanation: R. E. NY- Critical potentials of the "L" series of platinum: On the possibility of pulling electrons from metals by powerful electric fields: R. A. MILLIKAN and B. E. SHACKELFORD. On the recoil of Alpha particles from light atoms: L. B. LOEB. (Read by title.) Reactive hydrogen in the electrical discharge: GERALD L. WENDT and ROBERT S. LANDAUER. (Read by title.) The construction and design of a device permitting the application of a current pulse for a predeterminate number of milliseconds: LYNDLEY PYLE. The spectral transmission of various glasses: HENRY P. GAGE. SCIENCE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1920 THE FUNCTIONS AND IDEALS OF A NATIONAL GEOLOGICAL SURVEY1 Introduction.-During the period of unrest and uncertainty through which we are still painfully groping, the many distracting calls upon my time and thoughts have made performance of the duty to prepare a presidential address particularly difficult. In view of these circumstances I may perhaps hope for some indulgence on your part if my effort shows some lack of thoroughness in its preparation and falls somewhat short of the high standard set by some of my distinguished predecessors. The subject of a presidential address to the academy should, I think, be of wider interest and more general character than would ordinarily be an account of work in the speaker's particular branch of science, and this condition I have attempted to fulfill. Although what follows will deal especially with national geological surveys much of it will apply in principle to any scientific bureau conducted as a government organization. Reasons for the Existence of a National Geological Survey.-In the beginning it may be well to review briefly the reasons for the existence of a national geological survey. Why should the government undertake work in geology while investigations in other sciences are in general left to private initiation and enterprise? The reasons that may be adduced will differ with the point of view. The geologist will suggest that whereas some sciences, such as chemistry, physics or astronomy may be pursued with success with stationary and permanent equipment at any one of a number of localities, geology is regional in its scope and is primarily a field science as contrasted with a laboratory science. Geology, it is true, must avail itself of laboratory re1 Address delivered as retiring president of the Washington Academy of Sciences on January 13, 1920. sources and methods, but the geologist can not have the greater part of his material brought to him; he must himself seek it afield. Thus it comes that comprehensive geologic problems require for their solution the equipment of more or less expensive expeditions or travel over large areas. Such projects as a rule can not be undertaken by individual geologists or by local organizations. The preparation of a geologic map of a whole. country, with its explanatory text, generally recognized as essential fundamental work, is an undertaking that requires consistent effort by a central organization extending over a period of years. Such a map is not likely to result from the patching together of the results of uncoordinated local effort. From a broadly utilitarian point of view, the intelligent layman as well as the geologist must recognize that the development of a country's natural resources in such a manner as to secure their maximum use for the greatest number of its citizens necessarily depends upon reliable information concerning the character, location and extent of these resources and that this information should be available before they are exploited, by those who have eyes only for their own immediate profit, or before they pass entirely into private control or are exhausted. Such information can best be obtained and published by an impartial national organization responsible for its results to the people as a whole. Such a layman will recognize also that knowledge of the mineral resources of a country must rest upon a geological foundation. As Professor J. C. Branner has recently said in his "Outlines of the Geology of Brazil": After a life spent chiefly in active geologic work and in the direction of such work, I should be remiss in my duty to Brazil if I did not use this occasion to urge on Brazilian statesmen the serious necessity for the active encouragement and support of scientific geologic work on the part of the national and state governments. Knowledge must precede the application of knowledge in geology as well as in other matters; and unless the development of the country's mineral resources be based on and proceed from a scientific knowledge of its geology, there must inevitably be waste of effort, loss of money, and the delay of national progress inseparable from haphazard methods.2 Finally, the citizen of narrower vision will regard as sufficient justification for a national geological survey the fact that he himself can turn to it for information and assistance in the development of particular mineral deposits, to his own material advantage. As a matter of fact, most of the progressive countries of the world maintain geological surveys so that the desirability of such an organization appears to have been generally recognized, whatever may have been the particular reason or reasons that set in motion the machinery of organization in each country. Recognizing the fact that most of the principal countries have established geological surveys and granting that there are good reasons for considering the maintenance of such an organization as a proper governmental function, we may next inquire: What should be the ideals and duties of such a geological survey? How may these ideals be realized and these duties performed? General Legal Functions.-The organic act of the United States Geological Survey specifies indirectly and in general terms the field that the organization should occupy. It states, with reference to the director: This officer shall have the direction of the Geological Survey and the classification of the public lands and examination of the geological structure, mineral resources and products of the national domain. Doubtless the laws or decrees under which other national geological surveys have been established also prescribe to some extent their duties. Such legal authorization, however, is a rule so general as to leave room for considerable latitude in its interpretation. I propose first to discuss the functions of a nattional geologic survey without reference to legal prescription or definition and afterwards to consider the extent to which some 2 Branner, J. C., "Outlines of the Geology of Brazil," Geol. Soc. America, Bull., Vol. 30, p. 194, 1919. of the actual conditions interfere with the realization of these ideals. Usefulness in Science.-It has been the fashion in some quarters of late to emphasize usefulness as the chief criterion by which to judge the value of scientific research under government auspices. It has been intimated that this or that scientific bureau of the government must do "useful" work if it is to justify its existence and its expenditure of public funds. The statement is usually made with an air of finality, as if a troublesome question had been once for all disposed of and the path of the future made plain. As a matter of fact, however, when it is said that science must be useful in order to receive government support we have really made very little advance. Probably the most idealistic scientific man will admit that ultimate usefulness is the justification for scientific research although that end may not enter into his thoughts when he undertakes any particular investigation with the hope of increasing human knowledge. Men will differ very widely however as to what is meant by usefulness in science. It is well known to all scientific men, although not yet as widely recognized by others as it should be, that the utility of research is not generally predictable. For example, the investigations on electricity for hundreds of years preceding the middle of the nineteenth century had, so far as could be seen, no practical bearing. The experiments of Volta, of Galvani, and even those of our own Franklin, outside of his invention of the lightning rod, were not conducted with any thought of utility and were probably looked upon by the people of the time as diversions of the learned, not likely to have much effect upon human life and progress. How erroneous such a view was it is unnecessary to point out to a generation accustomed to daily use of the trolley car, telegraph, telephone and electric lights. Not only is the utility of science not always predictable but it is of very different kinds. That astronomy has certain practical applications in navigation and geodesy is well known; but important as these applications are they seem insignificant in comparison with the debt that we owe to this science for enlarging our intellectual horizon. This, too, is usefulness which I venture to think is of a truer and higher sort than much that passes current for utility. The classic researches of Pasteur on the tartaric acids, on fermentation, on the anthrax bacillus, on the silkworm disease and on rabies, were so-called applied science of the very highest type, indistinguishable in the spirit and method of their pursuit from investigations in pure science. They were not merely the application of knowledge to industry but were extraordinarily fruitful scientific investigations undertaken to solve particular industrial and humanitarian problems. They are especially interesting in the present connection as probably the most conspicuous example in the history of research of the merging of pure and applied science. Pasteur was doubly fortunate in that he not only enormously enlarged human knowledge but was able to see, at least in part, the practical application of his discoveries to the benefit of humanity. The value of his results measurable in dollars is enormous, yet this is not their only value. Professor Arthur Schuster, in a recent address, remarks: The researches of Pasteur, Lister and their followers, are triumphs of science applied directly to the benefit of mankind; but I fancy that their hold on our imagination is mainly due to the new vista opened out on the nature of disease, the marvelous workings of the lower forms of life, and the almost human attributes of blood corpuscles, which have been disclosed. The effect on a community is only the summation of the effect on individuals, and if we judge by individuals there can be little doubt that, except under the stress of abnormal circumstances, pure knowledge has as great a hold upon the public mind as the story of its applications. Quite independently of any recognized usefulness, investigations that yield results that are of interest to the public are willingly supported by the people and this fact is significant in connection with what I shall have to say later on the function of education. As illustrations of this truth may be cited our government Bureau of Ethnology and our |