ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE, ASSOCIA TIONS FOR THE. Important bodies of scientific men in America, Great Britain, France, and other countries. The purpose of these associa tions is to emphasize the solidarity and unity of interests among workers in all branches of science, to give a stronger impulse to scientific research, both theoretical and practical, apd to gain for scientific achievement a more imme diate recognition and a wider usefulness, through the means of financial bequests. the publication of Reports, and the offering of spe cial facilities for the prosecution of original and difficult scientific work. The organization of the societies was one of the numerous manifesta tions of the scientific spirit of the nineteenth century; and the continued growth of this spirit was shown at a joint meeting of the British and French associations in September. 1899, when plans were formulated for an international asso ciation for the advancement of science, art, and education. The first meeting of this interna tional association was held in Paris during the exposition of 1900. The American Association for the Advancement of Science, now one of the most noted scientific societies of America, was founded in 1847 as an outgrowth of the associa tion of American geologists and naturalists. The association is organized in ten sections. each of which holds its own convention at the annual meeting of the association during the slimmer. The sections embrace the following departments of science: A, mathematics and astronomy; B, physics; C, chemistry; D, mechanical science ! and engineering; E, geology and geography; I', zoology ; G, botany ; 11, anthropology ; I, social and science; ti, physiology and perimental medicine. The association serves as a centre for the meeting of a number of important special scientific societies which have become connected with it. The association
publishes annually a volume of Proceedings, and in 1901 became affiliated with the journal Science, making it the semi-olfieial organ of the society, The membership of the society is about 3000. The British Association for the Ad vancement of Science was founded in the city of York in 1831, under the leadership of David Brewster and with the cooperation of many of the most prominent men of the time. The annual meetings of the association are held for a week each summer, and consist mainly of papers read before the several sections of the society and of conferences following thorn. The society is divided into ten sections. each having its own president and governing committee. The society sets aside yearly a large sum for the prosecution of scientific researches which require special apparatus and the employ ment of assistants. The membership of the ! association is about 5500. Reports have been published since 1831. The French Associft ,r Lion for the Advaneement of Science (/,',4.san vial ion Fraaeaise pour r.leancenicnt des Nei owes) was formed in 1865 at Lille and now includes Nearly all French scientists of promi nence. The work of the society is carried on through general meetings, publications, and the bestowal of prizes for brilliant scientific work. The four sections into which the society is di vided are those of the mathematical, the phys ical and chemical, the natural, and the economic sciences. Records of its proceedings and of the scientific work accomplished under its guidance have been published since the association's or ganization.