70. The principal researches carried on are as follows: (1) Eclipses of Jupiter's satellites; (2) light curves of Algol variables; (3) position and brightness of stars in clusters; (4) observations have been made of the changes in light of nine variable stars of long period, during several years before they were discovered; (5) early observations of stars of the Algol type and other variables of short period; (6) transit photometer; (7) Nova Geminorum; (8) variations in brightness of Eros; (9) proper motion of stars; (10) missing asteroids, and (11) many images of interesting objects like new stars, variables and asteroids doubtless appear on the photographs. An examination has accordingly been made of several of the plates to determine whether it would be advisable to examine a large number of them systematically for the discovery of such objects.

WM. M. REED, Princeton Observatory, Princeton, N. J. For pay of two assistants to observe variable stars. $1,000. Abstract of Report.-Owing to the difficulty of obtaining an observer, work was not begun till March 1. During the seven months from March 1 to October 1, the 23-inch telescope of the Halsted Observatory, exclusively for photometric work, was used on every clear night from early in the evening until daylight. In all 9,015 observations were made on about fifty different stars.

Three classes of stars were observed:

(a) Such variable stars as are too faint to be reached by any except the largest telescopes. In particular, selection was made of stars that have become too faint for the Harvard observers and those cooperating with them.

fifteenth magnitude. The Liek and Yerkes observatories are connecting the fifteenthmagnitude stars with the sixteenth magnitude, and the Harvard Observatory is connecting the eleventh magnitude with the thirteenth magnitude.

(c) A special study of the newly discovered Algol variable, 4.1903 Draconis, has been made, and a preliminary article giving the results of these observations has been sent to the Astronomical Journal. MARY W. WHITNEY, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. For measurement of astronomical photographs, etc. $1,000. Abstract of Report.-This work consists in the measurement and reduction of stellar photographs taken at the observatory at Helsingfors, Finland, by Professor Donnor. The measurement of the eight plates is finished and the reduction is well along. A preliminary catalogue of the mean places of 404 stars within two degrees of the pole is nearly completed. The work was pressed during the last quarter, as Professor Whitney then secured the services of an expert computer. The intercomparison of the plates and the determination of proper motion remain to be studied.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

ROBERT FLETCHER, Army Medical Museum, Washington, D. C. For preparing and publishing the 'Index Medicus.' $10,000. The Index Medicus' was established in 1879, under the direction of Dr. John S. Billings and Dr. Robert Fletcher, and discontinued in 1899, after twenty-one volumes had appeared, for the lack of pecuniary support.

Abstract of Report.-The scope of this work is very broad with relation to the medical sciences. It contains, in classified form, month by month, reference to everything published throughout the world. which relates to medicine or public hygiene. The latter comprises all that concerns the

public health in its municipal, national and international relations.

Nine numbers of the volume have been issued, and the volume will be complete with the January number, when the 'annual index' will be compiled. The index is a very elaborate piece of work, and will comprise 200 pages in double or triple columns. The work is of great value to all the medical profession, especially to professors in medical schools and colleges, officers of health and workers in scientific laboratories.

The subscribers to the 'Index Medicus' are chiefly residents of the United States, but the list includes subscribers in England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Roumania, Sweden, Switzerland and Manila. There are now 455 subscribers.

HERBERT PUTNAM, Librarian of Congress,

Washington, D. C. For preparing and publishing a 'Handbook of Learned Societies.' $5,000.

In order that the scientific investigators of this country, and especially those connected with the Carnegie Institution, might have an accurate knowledge of the agencies which now exist for the promotion of scientific inquiry in every part of the world, the advisory committee on bibliography recommended that a descriptive catalogue be prepared of all the learned societies of the world.

At the present time such information, and particularly regarding the publications of learned societies, is incomplete and unorganized, being scattered through a large and miscellaneous collection of volumes, many of which are inaccessible and not well known. A careful and comprehensive list would be of great value to all the librarians of the country who aim at the preservation of the transactions of learned bodies. would also furnish a basis for exchanges. The funds for research work held by these

It

various institutions have special significance with reference to the activities of the Carnegie Institution. The plan of the handbook included information as to these eleven points: (1) Name or names of the society or institution, indicating any change which may have occurred, with cross references; (2) objects of the society; (3) brief historical note; (4) endowments, research funds, prizes, etc; (5) officers of the society; (6) membership, numbers, conditions and manner of election, dues, etc.: (7) meetings-their character, frequency, time and place; (8) communicationsregulations for presentation and publication of papers; (9) list of officers, with address of corresponding secretary; (10) complete and detailed bibliography of all regular or special publications since the foundation of the society, editions (how large?) to satisfy all the above mentioned requirements; (11) publications-conditions and methods of distribution; prices.

According to the plan of work approved, the handbook is to be in volumes; societies to be classified by subjects, with local arrangement, and each class to constitute a separate part. The following order of procedure has been adopted: (a) To prepare a list of societies from the exchange lists at the Smithsonian Institution and elsewhere in Washington, and a card catalogue to keep orderly record of communications; (b) to issue a suitable circular to these societies, requesting the desired information; (c) to prepare for publication the material received, filling out lacunæ by further correspondence and reference to various sources of information; (d) in the case of societies not replying to circular or letter, and in regard to which sufficient information can not be obtained from printed sources, to adopt such other methods as the progress of the work may suggest.

The first stage of this work was the preparing of a card catalogue of names of

learned societies and institutions. Every source of information known and available in the Congressional Library was searched to make this as nearly complete as possible, at the same time separating (1) dead societies and (2) societies not publishing any material of importance to investigators.

The second stage of the work was the sending of a circular letter, containing an outline of the information required, to academies and societies dealing with historical and social science in Europe and North America. Russia and other Slavic countries, and also Austria and Hungary, are being treated independently, advantage being taken of a visit to Russia by Mr. A. V. Babine, of the Library of Congress. Mr. Thompson and Mrs. Thompson made personal visits to England, Paris, Belgium, Holland and Berlin for the purpose of supplementing the information obtained by correspondence. It is anticipated that Mr. Thompson will also visit Italy and Switzerland.

The third stage of the work, the reduction of the replies received to standard form, was begun in August, and is now going on in the office at Washington. It is expected that this work will be brought to completion in 1904.

BOTANY.

W. A. CANNON, New York Botanical Garden, N. Y. For investigation of plant hybrids. $500. Abstract of Report.-Under this grant Mr. Cannon worked at the New York Botanical Garden until September 1, 1903. He prepared a paper on the spermatogenesis of the hybrid peas and collected material for the study of the sporogenesis of two fern hybrids.

H. S. CONARD, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. For study of types of water-lilies in European herbaria. $300. Abstract of Report.-The grant made to

Mr. Conard was to enable him to examine the types of water-lilies in various European herbaria for the purpose of completing a memoir on water-lilies which the Carnegie Institution is about to publish. He was successful in obtaining the requisite data, and the memoir will soon go to press. DESERT BOTANICAL LABORATORY (F. V. Coville and D. T. MacDougal, Washington, D. C.). $8,000.

At the meeting of the trustees in November, 1902, a comprehensive plan for the encouragement of botanical researches was submitted by the advisory committee on botany (see 'Year Book,' No. 1, pages 3-12).

In carrying out this plan, Mr. F. V. Coville, botanist of the Department of Agriculture, Washington, and Mr. D. T. MacDougal, director of the laboratories of the New York Botanical Garden, were requested to go to the arid lands of the west and make such further recommendations as might seem to them best. They became persuaded that the best position for the laboratory, considering both natural and artificial advantages, is Tucson, Arizona, and they recommended its establishment there and the engagement of Dr. W. A. Cannon to be resident investigator.

A full report with respect to the organization of this laboratory and of the various circumstances which led up to it will be published in a monograph soon to be printed among the publications of the Carnegie Institution.

Abstract of Report.-Messrs. Coville and MacDougal were appointed a committee on the subject of a desert botanical laboratory.

After their visit to the principal points in the southwestern desert region, a laboratory location was selected near Tucson, Arizona.

The building site, water supply, road and electrical connection were presented by the Chamber of Commerce of Tucson, the cash

value of these concessions amounting to about $1,400, and the discussions that took place initiating what is still more valuable -the hearty interest and cooperation of the citizens in the purposes of the laboratory.

A laboratory building has been planned, contracted for and completed, the contract price being $3,843. The laboratory has been equipped with books, apparatus, furniture and supplies, at а cost of $1,813.50.

Dr. W. A. Cannon, recently connected. with the New York Botanical Garden (Bronx Park), New York, was appointed resident investigator, and took charge of the laboratory September 1. He is now engaged in investigating the root systems of desert plants with reference to their special devices for the absorption and storage of water.

The privileges of the laboratory have been granted to Professor Charles B. Davenport, University of Chicago, for an inquiry into the morphological and physiological adjustment of desert animals to their habitat. Other applications are pending.

The committee has presented an illustrated report on the laboratory location, which is now in press as a publication of the institution.

E. W. OLIVE, Crawfordsville, Ind. Researches on the cytological relations of the Amabæ, Acrasieæ and Myxomycetes. $1,000.

Abstract of Report.-Mr. Olive's work has been carried on in Professor Strasburger's laboratory in the Botanical Institute at Bonn, Germany. In order to do this work he resigned his position as instructor at Harvard University. His studies include cultures of the Acrasia and of the Labyrinthule, which he had brought from America.

Mr. Olive's report shows definite progress in his research, and the prospect of the completion within two months of two papers incorporating a portion of his results.

JANET PERKINS, working at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Berlin, Germany. For preliminary studies on the Philippine flora. $1,900.

Abstract of Report.-Dr. Janet Perkins reports that she was engaged in the proposed investigation from February 20 to October 5, 1903. A catalogue of the Philippine flora was begun, based on various monographs and papers which have appeared in scientific periodicals. This work consumed much time, as literature regarding the Philippines is greatly scattered, and the synonymy needs a thorough clearing up.

Among other matters that were begun were: (a) A catalogue of the various native names, (b) a list of botanical literature pertaining to the Philippines, (c) the attempt to construct a type herbarium of Philippine plants, (d) the determination of certain Philippine plants received from the Department of Agriculture, and (e) the preparation of a sample copy of the manuscript and illustrations for the position of the family Marantaceæ.

CHEMISTRY.

W. D. BANCROFT, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. For a systematic chemical study of alloys, beginning with the bronzes and brasses. $500.

Abstract of Report.-The experimental work under this grant has been done by Mr. E. S. Shepherd, under the direction of Professor Bancroft. They have analyzed the different solid bases and determined the copper-tin-lead diagram except for the alloys containing less than twenty per cent. of copper. They have determined the

densities and electromotive forces of the

annealed bronze, and made a careful microscopic study of the same alloys. Work is now under way on the density and determination of bronzes cast in vacuo, the copper-tin-lead diagram, and the making of the necessary analyses. A study of the physical properties of bronzes will be carried on during the winter.

L. M. DENNIS, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. For investigation of the rare earths. $1,000. Professor Dennis has been engaged for the past ten years in the study of the rare earths, and has accumulated a large amount of purified material. He proposed to carry on a study with special reference to improvements in the methods for determining the atomic masses of these substances, and for separating the elements of the yttrium group.

Abstract of Report.-The work under this grant was carried on by Dr. Benton Dales in the laboratory of Professor Dennis, of Cornell University. Dr. Dales has submitted a report on the ammonium carbonate and acetic acid method of fractionation. The source of the rare earths used in the work was xenotine, essentially a phosphate of the yttrium group of earths from Brazil. The work is unfinished, owing to Dr. Dales having resigned his position at Cornell University before completing it. Three fourths of the grant was used. A paper containing the results of the investigation, as far as obtained, was transmitted for publication.

H. C. JONES, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. For investigations in physical chemistry. $1,000.

Abstract of Report.-Under the direction of Professor Jones, Dr. F. H. Gatman began work October 1, 1903, by investigating certain apparently abnormal phenomena manifested by concentrated solutions of electrolytes in water and other

solvents. They expect to be able to report considerable progress by the end of the

year.

H. N. MORSE, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. For researches on osmotic pressure. $1,500.

Abstract of Report.-Professor Morse reports that the immediate problem to be solved was the development of a practical method for measuring osmotic pressure. Although osmotic pressure has been recognized for twenty-five years as one of the great forces of nature, there have been no direct measurements to furnish an adequate experimental basis for the laws supProfessor Morse has posed to govern it. been engaged for several years in attempting to overcome the difficulties which lie in the way of quantitative measurements of osmotic pressure. He states the prob

lem under three heads, as follows: (1) The preparation of a suitable semipermeable membrane, (2) the overcoming of the mechanical difficulties in assembling the different parts essential to the complete osmotic cell, and (3) the production of an efficient porous wall on which to deposit the semipermeable membrane.

Professor Morse has succeeded in solving the problems designated by (1) and (2), and the work since October, 1902, has been prosecuted by him and Mr. J. C. W. Fraser, working in the laboratory of the Johns Hopkins University. They have found it. necessary not only to work out theoretically, but also practically, the problem of the production of a suitable porous wall, necessitating the molding of the clay under great pressure in order to give the cell wall a higher and more uniform degree of compactness than is secured by the usual methods of the potter, and to remove thoroughly the air blisters and cavities which render most porous walls unfit for experimental work in osmotic pressure. Their