Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Issue 32

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1884

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Page 16 - A mass of living protoplasm is simply a molecular machine of great complexity, the total results of the working of which, or its vital phenomena, depend on the one hand upon its construction, and on the other, upon the energy supplied to it; and to speak of 'vitality' as anything but the name of a series of operations is as if one should talk of the horologity of a clock, "f Professor J.
Page xxv - The objects of the Association are, by periodical and migratory meetings, to promote intercourse between those who are cultivating science in different parts of America, to give a stronger and more general impulse and more systematic direction to scientific research, and to procure for the labors of scientific men, increased facilities and a wider usefulness.
Page 122 - It seems to be the opinion of most, that a certain amount of teaching is conducive, rather than otherwise, to the spirit of research. I myself think that this is true, and I should myself not like to give up my daily lecture. But one must not be overburdened. I suppose that the true solution, in many cases, would be found in the multiplication of assistants, not only for the work of teaching, but of research. Some men are gifted with more ideas than they can work out with their own hands, and the...
Page 116 - And yet there are very many similar institutions ; there being sixteen with three professors or less, and very many indeed with only four or five. Such facts as these could only exist in a democratic country, where pride is taken in reducing everything to a level. And I may also say, that it can only exist in the early days of such a democracy ; for an intelligent public will soon perceive that calling a thing by a wrong name does not change its character, and that truth, above all things, should...
Page 113 - But there is an old saying, that where there is a will there is a way. Few professors do as much teaching or lecturing as the German professors, who are also noted for their elaborate papers in the scientific journals.
Page 122 - Again, what would astronomy have done without the endowments of observatories? By their means, that science has become the most perfect of all branches of physics, as it should be from its simplicity. There is no doubt, in my mind, that similar institutions for other branches of physics, or, better, to include the whole of physics, would be equally successful. A large and perfectly equipped physical laboratory with its large revenues, its corps of professors and assistants, and its...
Page 123 - Such a grand laboratory as I describe does not exist in the world, at present, for the study of physics. But no trouble has ever been found in obtaining means to endow astronomical science. Everybody can appreciate, to some extent, the value of an observatory; as astronomy is the simplest of scientific subjects, and has very quickly reached a position where elaborate instruments and costly computations are necessary to further advance. The whole domain of physics is so wide that workers have hitherto...
Page 118 - He goes forth into the world, and the height to which he rises has been influenced by the ideals which he has consciously or unconsciously imbibed in his university. If the professors under whom he has studied have been high in their profession, and have themselves had high ideals ; if they have considered the advance of their particular subject their highest work in life, and are themselves honored for their intellect throughout the world, — the student is drawn toward that which is highest, and...
Page 219 - Mexico are now divided, we have nearly the picture which was presented when the melting ice-sheet of British America was pouring its floods along this hollow. Then the entire extent of the valley was doubtless filled every summer by a river which covered all the present areas of flood-plain, in many places occupying as great width as these lakes.
Page 126 - ... national character. But there is another matter which influences the growth of our ' science. As it is necessary for us still to look abroad for our highest inspiration in pure science, and as science is not an affair of one town or one country, but of the whole world, it becomes us all to read the current journals of science and the great transactions of foreign societies, as well as those of our own countries. These great transactions and journals should be in the library of every institution...

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