The Future of the State Academy of Science.

MSS. intended for publication and books, etc., intended for review should be sent to The Editor of Science, Grrison-omHudson, N. Y. THE FUTURE OF THE STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE' IN SCIENCE of December 5, 1919, Mr. D. D. Whitney presents certain data and conclusiorns on State Academies of Science. Omitting mention of a number of large academies centering in cities his figures show that membership varies from 25 to 350; that annual dues run from 50 cents to $10; that annual receipts from state or private sources vary from none to $1,500, 9 out of the 18 enjoying such receipts; that 4 out of 18 pay their officers salaries, from $75 to $1,000; and that the annual publications by 12 out of the 18 academies contain 50 to 600 pages. In these academies Mr. Whitney finds great variation as to interest and vitality, commenrts from the officers being "dead" in three cases, "apathetic" in others, and "very lively" in a few. Assigning grades to indicate the various degrees of health and vitality, we may say that of the eighteen academies considered, two would be graded A or " superior "; one B, or " good "; eight C, " passing four D, " poor but passing "; and three E, "failure." This result seems to follow the probability curve fairly well, and sholuld perhaps cause us to look upon the situation with some complaisance. It might be unreasonable to expect all of -the group to comre up to the highest standard of excellence. Our own academy is reported as having 96 memabers, no annual state appropriation, no salaries for officers,I no annual publication, and as manifesting an interest " fairly lively." This ranks us as of about C grade, passing but without distinction. Our growth, however frora 46 charter members in 1914 to 110 members in 1920, indicates a persistent vitality, and the classification of our membership, 25 per cent. of our resident members being un-