cayed mass; and from the leaves, before the disease has reached the bulb, it is impossible to get a sufficient quantity of the slime.

On March 27, 1884, small quantities of yellow slime were taken from some slightly affected bulbs (double red Temple of Apollo) and inserted into wounds made for this purpose in the top of the leaves of different varieties. These were examined daily for signs of disease which first appeared, in most cases, only after a month. Distinct symptoms were apparent but unfavorable circumstances caused the loss of the leaves before the downward stripe had progressed very far. These plants stood in pots in the open air and were watered regularly, but the spring was very dry. Although in this case a month elapsed before external symptoms appeared, it is not to be inferred that so long a time always intervenes. On the other hand it is likely that in natural infections even a longer time may elapse before symptoms appear, since countless numbers of the bacteria are used in artificial infections, while natural infections are probably brought about in most cases by the entrance of a few bacteria which would require more time to produce visible results. On Oct. 27, 1884, the small unfolding leaves of each of a number of sound hyacinth bulbs were wounded with a steel pen and some of the bacterial slime inserted into these punctures. The bulbs were then potted, kept in a place free from frost and examined from time to time. On Jan. 13, 1885, one plant showed the disease very distinctly. Two of the three infected leaves had stripes extending downward from the wound, each about 13 mm. Here, also, a long time intervened between the inoculation and the appearance of external symptoms.

was begun Dec. 28, These plants were directly from dis

Another series of infection experiments 1885, and completed in the spring of 1886. also inoculated with bacterial slime taken eased plants. These experiments were made on five plants of as many varieties, grown in carafes. All were kept in a cool place until Feb. 13, when they were transferred to a room regularly warmed. The manner of inoculation and the results obtained are here summarized: La Tour d'Auvergne (double

white variety). Bacteria introduced into a wound in the yellow part of a leaf. Results: Feb. 13. In bloom. Two small streaks extending downward from the wound. Feb. 20. Leaf accidentally broken. It was put immediately after into alcohol and subsequently hardened in absolute alcohol, whereupon microscopic preparations made and stained in the way already described, showed three vascular bundles attacked in varying degrees. Two of them evidently corresponded to the two little stripes on the leaf, while in the third bundle the disease had not made enough progress to be visible on the surface of the green leaf. Norma (single red variety). Bacteria introduced into the green tips of three leaves. Results: Feb. 13. In bloom. 1st leaf, nothing. 2nd leaf, a little spot two millimeters above the wound. 3rd leaf, a similar spot below

Feb. 27.

the wound. Feb. 20. No change. Feb. 27. No change. March 6. No change. March 20. Second leaf broken; 3rd leaf show little spots 10 mm. below the wound, plant moved into the open air. March 27. No change. April 3. No change. Coeur blanc (single white variety). Bacteria introduced into a wound in the yellow part of a leaf. Results: Feb. 13. A stripe extending downward from the wound, 4 mm. Feb. 20. In bloom. No change. Feb. 27. Length of stripe 15 mm. March 6. Length of stripe 22 mm. March 13. Length of stripe 25 mm., and small spots 10 mm. lower. March 20. Length of stripe 27 mm., and small spots 22 mm. lower. Plant put into the open air. March 27. Length of stripe 27 mm., and small spots 35 mm. lower. April 3. Length of stripe 67 mm. Crown Prince Charles of Sweden (double blue variety). the green apex of two leaves. Feb. 20. 1st leaf, a downward the wounds. 2nd leaf, nothing. Feb. 27. 1st leaf, length of stripe 15 mm., and small spots all around the wound. 2nd leaf, nothing. March 6. In bloom. Length of stripe 17 mm. March 13. Length of stripe 18 mm., and a small spot 4 mm. lower. March 20. Very little change. Plant put under a bell jar on a dish containing water. March 27. Length of stripe 22 mm. Bell jar removed because leaf began to turn

Bacteria put into wounds at Results: Feb. 13. Nothing. stripe of 3 mm. from one of

yellow. April 3. No change. Anna Maria (double white variety). Fragments of diseased tissue introduced into wounds in the green tips of three leaves. Results: Feb. 13. A downward stripe from one of the wounds, length 10 mm. On the other two leaves nothing. Feb. 20. In bloom. Length of stripe, 17 mm. On the other two leaves nothing. March 6. Length of stripe 35 mm., and small spots 10 mm. lower. March 13. Length of stripe 45 mm. The stripe and bordering tissues have dried up for a distance of 35 mm. March 20. Length of stripe 55 mm., and small spots 15 mm. lower. Diseased part dry for a length of 50 mm. Leaf bent by the drying of one side. Plant put out-doors. March 27. of stripe 90 mm. Dry for a length of 55 mm. Length of stripe 94 mm.

Length April 3.

Measurements were not made after April 3, but subsequently all of the diseased leaves were removed, placed in alcohol, hardened in absolute alcohol, and examined microscopically in the same manner as the leaf already mentioned, and with the same result. On the same date, Dec. 28, 1885, a quantity of bulbs, including the above varieties, were also infected and were planted out of doors where they were exposed freely to the air. Up to April 3 there were no signs of disease but a little later symptoms appeared in most of the plants. From these experiments the author draws the following conclusions: (1) the Geelziek or maladie du jaune can be induced artificially, and (2) the results of the infection make their appearance a long time after the operation.

(To be continued.)

EDITOR'S TABLE.

THE late meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science while less numerously attended than some others, was a larger gathering than has sometimes represented it. The meetings of the Association cannot be as large relatively to our population as those of most of the European nations, because of the longer distances which the members are compelled to transverse in order to reach them. Many of the most active workers must always be absent in the field during the summer months, especially so long as our country presents such opportunities for original research. The summer schools take away some members. The meeting at Buffalo was held in such a way as to discourage the attendance of those who regard it as merely an opportunity for junketting. The meetings extended from Monday to Friday inclusive, and Saturday only was reserved for excursions. This arrangement was greatly to the advantage of work, the maintainance of interest, and of the attendance. The members present were more than usually conspicuous as workers, and the number and value of the papers read was fully up to the best standard.

The Association decided to meet in Detroit at the unusually early date of August 9th, next year. This date was fixed on account of the approaching meeting of the British Association at Toronto on August 18th following. A cordial invitation from the citizens of Toronto to take part in the reception of the British Association was accepted, and this will follow the meeting at Detroit. A respectable minority of the Association thought that we should suspend our meeting for that year, or meet formally for organization only, and then adjourn to take part in the reception of the British Association. This view carried the Nominating Committee, but was not approved by the Association. That the Association did wisely there can be no doubt, and the circumstance shows that all the wisdom in that body is not concentrated in its representatives in the Nominating Committee. The reasons put forth by the Committee for its action were plausible, but were believed to be fallacious by a large majority of the Association. One of these reasons was the assumption that the American Association meeting would necessarily be neglected by its members if the British Association meet in Toronto. The Association thought otherwise, especially as it was remembered that the second largest meeting ever held was in 'Not however by special adjournment as stated in Nature of Sept. 17, p. 480.

Philadelphia in 1884 when the British Association met in Montreal. As the American Association knows its own mind, we may look for one of our largest meetings in Detroit in 1897.

In our issue for October, 1895, we referred to the organization of the Field Museum of Chicago as having failed to furnish a successful basis of operations for the prosecution of original research. At that time most of the men who could give reputation to it had left, owing to the unsatisfactory positions in which they found themselves placed. Subsequently the establishment of publications of a very meritorious character induced us to believe that proper steps had been taken by the management to place the scientific men on such a basis as to insure the future prosperity of the enterprise. Authentic information recently received shows that this anticipation was premature. Other resignations have occurred, and the institution is evidently destined to be a failure unless a reorganization is effected.

Men who have spent their lives in mercantile pursuits are generally unacquainted with the conditions necessary to original research in science. The modus operandi in the two pursuits is fundamentally dif ferent. An element of tentative experiment enters into the pursuit of science, which requires a degree of freedom on the part of the investigator which cannot be accorded to the regular employee, the results of whose work are always susceptible of full anticipation. The investigator must have full control of material of research and of the ways of getting it. In fact no one else is likely to know how to get it. He alone knows the profitable lines of work; hence he must be permitted to select his work. No one will secure a museum sooner than he, and it will be as much more valuable than can be created by any one else, as the work of an expert is necessarily more important than that of other persons. For these and many other reasons no museum can become great unless its administration is in control of scientific experts, who should be responsible to each other and to the trustees only. With an organization of this kind, composed of the class of men from whom it has already selected some of its aids, there is no reason why the Field Museum, under the liberal terms of its endowment, should not rival the greatest museums of the world.

-WE must again remind contributors to the NATURALIST that proofs of all kinds and blocks of engravings must be sent to the publishers and not to the managing editor. Failure to observe this rule often causes inconvenient delays. Manuscripts, on the other hand, should go to the appropriate editors, and not to the publishers.