effects; in 3 and 4, the influence of the imagination predominates.

Although the imagination is an important factor in 5, this class presents a distinct problem of its own, deeper rooted, which may lead the inquirer into the sphere of comparative psychology.

A point in the investigation most difficult to ascertain, was the proportion of children susceptible to fear. The answers returned varied widely, probably because the distinction between the two kinds of fear was not usually taken into account by the observers. The most reliable data seemed to indicate a general average of about 10 per cent; but the proportion appeared to be at least three times greater among girls than among boys. The question of temperament was investigated, but here too the answers varied considerably, and most diverse traits were included in the different lists; the only generalization that seemed warranted was the preponderance of fear among the gentle and timid,-which is, after all, not a point of startling novelty. On the intellectual side, where teachers are in a position to give trustworthy judgments, the figures indicate a slight excess of fear among the brighter, and a lower proportion among the more stupid than among the mediocre. Prof. Binet argues, however, that this is not due to a direct connection, but that the tendency to fear is increased by a vivid imagination, which is generally associated with greater intellectual capacity. On the other hand, there is a close connection between fear and the state of the health; and a nervous condition, whether due to a shock or otherwise, is fruitful soil for fear in children as in adults. But a further element must be reckoned with here, in the case of the child for, as he grows conscious of his failing, he loses confidence in himself, and thereby becomes still more liable to fear.

Aside from the concrete causes of fear already noticed, a number of factors are concerned in its development. Heredity plays a prominent part here as elsewhere. Ill-treatment is a most effective agent in fostering it, and this heading may be extended to include the many instances of misdirected efforts to train the child which are far from wilful. The pedagogical value of the study, which M. Binet brings out in a closing section, is nowhere more marked than here. Closely allied to this factor is the influence of tragic stories and mysterious tales on the child's imagination, a principle which even judicious parents are apt to forget. Finally, the force of example-the contagion of fear -is shown unmistakably by Prof. Binet's study. The younger is influenced by the older, the stronger by the weaker, the child by the teacher; if the latter show signs of fear in any crisis, the former is

almost sure to give way. This is, of course, no new discovery, but it is a fact which cannot too often be emphasized.

Fear begins to be manifested between the second and third years of age, and, until about the ninth year, the child's powers of self-control are insufficient to inhibit it. Under normal conditions, it decreases rapidly from the ninth until the twelfth year, when, apart from the influence of special conditions or circumstances, it comes well under control.-H. C. WARREN.

PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES.

American Association for the Advancement of Science.— This body met at Buffalo, New York, from August 24th to 29th inclusive. The council met on the 22d, and the 29th was devoted to an excursion to Niagara. The attendance was not as large as sometimes, the number of members present being 333. The quality of the papers was said to have been in general excellent. Only three of the sections continued in session on Friday afternoon (the 28th), viz.: the Geological, the Anthropological, and that of Social and Economic Science. The affiliated societies coöperated to a considerable extent, the Geological and Chemical Societies reading papers in the appropriate sections, and the Entomological Club suspending its meeting. Eighty-two fellows were elected. Prof. Wolcott Gibbs was elected an honorary fellow, and Mr. Horatio Hale a fellow for life. On Wednesday afternoon a symposium was held in the Geological Section in honor of the sixtieth anniversary of the appointment of Professor James Hall to the position of Director of the Geological Survey of New York.

At the opening session the association was welcomed by addresses from Mayor Jewett, and from Dr. Park, President of the Society of Natural Sciences. President E. D. Cope replied in the following language:

"Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Local Committee and Citizens of Buffalo I utter the sentiments of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in expressing our pleasure at being once again in your beautiful city. We feel at home here, and we know that we are among friends who understand our motives and our objects. But, inasmuch as we represent the entire nation, I will give a brief outline of the objects of the Association, and the aims which it has in view. Our principal occupation is that of original scientific research, although

many of us are of necessity also teachers of scientific knowledge. The primary object of the Association is, however, not teaching, but the advancement of science by the increase of knowledge. We seek to penetrate the unknown and to build up a system which will express with certainty the mutual relations of the various parts of the universe, including ourselves. Although many facts are known, and some laws have been formulated, very much still remains unknown, and many of the highest principles of nature remain undiscovered. Original research furnishes the material for teaching and the matter which is contained in books. Much money is devoted to the building of libraries and of schools, but not much is given for the purpose of supplying the knowledge which is to be taught in the schools and from which books are made.

"The motives of the original investigator vary with his years, but the taste for research is generally developed early in life. In some it is a love of the beautiful, whether it be the beauty of a perfect mechanism or the beauty of form that attracts him. In some, it is the desire to know, and in others it is a high interest in the problem of human origin and destiny. In many it is the same feeling which prompts the adventurous explorer to enter new regions, not knowing what he will find, but believing that whatever is, is right.

"The services rendered by science are twofold. They have a value either material in their character or utilitarian, or they have a mental value, inasmuch as knowledge serves to clear the mind of fears and doubts, and so to promote human happiness. The true man of science is not influenced by utilitarian considerations, but pursues the truth wherever it may lead, knowing by experience that its benefits are many and sometimes unexpected. Another benefit which the cultivation of science promotes is the formation of correct habits of thought. The rational faculty of the mind is of very ancient origin, and developed early in the history of man. But its use in the early stages of human development has been largely a priori; that is, in the advance of knowledge, rather than as a digestor of knowledge after its acquisition. In other words, the scientific method consists not in the use of abstract reason, but in a rational use of the results of observation and experiment. This is the lesson which the history of science teaches mankind, that if we wish to know the actual state of affairs, our course is first to observe the facts and to draw our inferences from them, and not to attempt to describe the universe from our inner consciousness as we think it ought to be. All the results attained by science have been due to adherence to this method. Nevertheless it is not forbidden to entertain hypotheses before discovery, if such hypotheses are not valued for more than they

are worth. Another service which we imagine science renders to the community is the example which it offers of the reward of labor. The scientific man loves to work not only for the sake of acquisition, but also because of the pleasure there is in work as an activity of the human organism. By it we learn that by work only can great results be accomplished, and the law of conservation and correlation or energy teaches that something cannot be made out of nothing.

"In our educational function we hope by example to show that the mental life is as worth living and affords as much pleasure as the physical life. This is a lesson on which it is necessary to continually insist, since mankind is constantly prone to imagine that mental activity and thought are uninteresting and dull. On the contrary they afford a high class of pleasures which are conservative of the entire organism. "We also emphasize the desirability of free thought on all subjects whatsoever, and the necessary corollary that the thought shall be careful and judicial. Thought so applied to our practical affairs must be in the highest degree beneficial in every direction both personal and national. We expressly repudiate two common types of thought. One of these attempts to prove by reasoning, if not by reason, a contention in which a person has an especial interest. It is to be feared that this habit of mind is too common, and it implies a lack of honesty of purpose which is entirely foreign to the scientific spirit. The other type of thinking to which we object is the acceptance of allegations concerning matters of fact or theory upon insufficient evidence, or upon authority only. Both of these methods lead to inaccurate results, and from both the scientific method protects us. I do not hesitate to say, that the future of science will be greater than its past, and that it affords a career to those who are adapted for it which promises a high degree of happiness and benefit. I believe that in this country with our facilities in various directions, the pursuit of science will become a more conspicuous part of our national life than it is now, and I am sure that nothing is more desirable for our national life than that this should be the case. In the cultivation of science we see the cultivation of honesty, of industry and of truth, all qualities which are essential to the prosperity of a people.

"Fellow citizens of Buffalo we thank you for the very material aid which you are rendering us in the attempt to develop this enterprise." The Nominating Committee recommended the names of Prof. Wolcott Gibbs, of Newport, for President, for 1897-8, and of Dr. Asaph Hall, Jr., of Washington, D. C., for General Secretary; who were elected. The committee also recommended that a formal meeting for organiza

tion only be held in 1897, at Toronto, in view of a cordial invitation from that place, and that it adjourn to assist the citizens in entertaining the British Association for the Advancement of Science, which is to meet there at that time. Other invitations were received from Nashville, Tenn.; Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis, Ind.; Detroit, Mich.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Seattle, Wash., and San Francisco, Cal. The recommendation of the committee was not agreed to by the Association, who ordered that a regular meeting should be held, and referred the time and place to the council. At a subsequent meeting of that body it was agreed to meet in Detroit, commencing August 9th, in order to give the members the opportunity of attending the British Association meetting at Toronto thereafter.

Messrs. Tarr, Mayberry, Packard, Bessey and Carhart were appointed a committee to coöperate with the national educational societies in arranging the methods of science teaching.