Professor of Philosophy and Education in Columbia University, New York

17

SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES AND

ASSOCIATIONS

BY

JAMES MCKEEN CATTELL

Professor of Psychology in Columbia University, New York

THIS MONOGRAPH IS CONTRIBUTED TO THE UNITED STATES EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT BY THE STATE OF NEW YORK

SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS

The educational activity of a nation is not confined to its schools. Societies, journals, museums, laboratories and other institutions devoted to the advancement and diffusion of knowledge are an important part of the educational system of the United States. These agencies are on the one hand for the use of those who teach, and thus represent the most advanced educational work. On the other hand they extend the range of education widely among the people. The rapid development of the United States, its large area and scattered centers of culture, have in some respects favored and in other respects retarded the institutions with which we are concerned. They, however, show great activity and great progress, and the present review will indicate that they need not shun comparison with the similar institutions of the other great nations of the world.

SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES

The National academy of sciences, corresponding to the Academy of sciences of Paris or the Royal society of London, was incorporated by act of congress in 1863. By the terms of this act the academy, whenever called upon by any department of the government, is required to investigate and report upon scientific questions. Thus a report has recently been presented to the department of the interior on a policy for the forested lands of the United States, and other reports have furnished the basis for important legislation. As a matter of fact the academy has not been as frequently employed by the government as was originally intended or as sound policy dictates. Established like our schools of agriculture and the mechanic arts when the country was involved in a great civil war, the academy represents a forward movement the importance of which can scarcely be

overestimated. Under the constitution of the United States the executive, legislative and judicial functions of the government are defined and separated with remarkable foresight and wisdom. But as science increases in range and in detail, expert advice and decision as a basis for legislation become more necessary. It is by no means unreasonable to look forward to a time when the scientific or advisory department of the government will rank co-ordinate with its executive, legislative and judicial departments. But before the National academy can undertake these duties it must consist, not of the most eminent, but of the most efficient men of science of the United States. In addition to its function as a scientific adviser of the government, the academy holds meetings for the reading of scientific papers, publishes reports and memoirs and administers certain funds for the promotion of research and the awarding of medals. A stated meeting is held annually at Washington in April, and migratory scientific sessions are held in the autumn. Reports are issued annually and the memoirs are now in their eighth volume. The academy administers the Bache, Watson, Draper, Smith, Gibbs and Gould funds, yielding in all an annual income of about $6,000 for the encouragement of scientific research. The membership of the academy was originally limited to fifty, but this limitation was removed in 1870, and at present five members may be elected annually. There are now eighty-six members distributed among the different sciences as follows: Mathematics and mechanics, 3; astronomy, 9; meteorology, 1; physics, including engineering, 19; mineralogy, 2; chemistry, 14; geology, 10; paleontology, 2; zoology, 13; botany, 3; statistics, 1; anthropology, 3; physiology and pathology, 6. The academy is thus larger than the Paris academy (40 members), but smaller than the Royal society (fifteen annual elections). Fifty foreign associates may be elected; there are at present twenty-five. The present officers of academy are: Wolcott Gibbs, presiAgassiz, foreign secrend John S. Billings,

treasurer. The past presidents have been A. D. Bache, 1863-1867; Joseph Henry, 1867-1878; Wm. B. Rogers, 1879-1882; O. C. Marsh, 1883-1895.

The American association for the advancement of science held its first meeting in 1848, being the continuation of the Association of American geologists and naturalists founded in 1840. The objects of the association are stated in its constitution to be "by periodical and migratory meetings, to promote intercourse between those who are cultivating science in different parts of America, to give a stronger and more general impulse and more systematic direction to scientific research, and to procure for the labors of scientific men increased facilities and wider usefulness." The association thus occupies the same field as the British association for the advancement of science (established in 1831), L'Association française pour l'avancement des sciences (established in 1864), Die Versammlurg deutscher Naturforscher und Aerzte (established in 1828), and similar societies in Switzerland, Russia and other countries. All these associations have performed a useful service in bringing men of science together and in attracting the attention of the general public to scientific work. With the increasing specialization of science, the establishment of special societies and journals, and the growth of university centers, the meetings have perhaps become relatively less important than formerly. But the division into sections for the different sciences has in part met the needs of modern specialization, and there is at present a movement to arrange for the meetings of special societies in affiliation with the association.

The American association is composed of members and fellows. All interested in science are eligible to membership, while the fellows are elected from such of the members as are engaged in advancing science. There are at present 949 members and 776 fellows and in addition two patrons, one corresponding member and one honorary member. The attendance at the meetings, which are held for a week, usually in August, varies considerably with the place and other