With the appointment to the Peabody professorship, Harvard University became one of the first institutions in the country to offer instruction in the field of anthropology and American archeology. Although always more active in museum and field work than in teaching, Prof. Putnam strove constantly to develop the instruction in his chosen science from the time when, before any courses were offered, he had several voluntary students working under his direction, to the very last days of his life, when nearly a score of specialized courses were offered by the division of which he had for so long been the head.

Striking as were the results of his work here at Harvard, his influence was literally nation wide, and he may justly be called one of the fathers of anthropology in America, the others being Brinton, of Pennsylvania, and Powell, of Washington. In 1892 he was made chief of the department of anthropology at the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago, and not only brought together what was probably the greatest archeological and anthropological exhibit ever gathered in this country up to that time, but collected by the aid of numerous collaborators a vast mass of data in regard to our native peoples which has not yet been fully worked up. The specimens so brought together for the exposition became the nucleus of the present Field Museum of Natural History, which may thus be regarded as, in its origins, of his making. In 1894 Prof. Putnam was made curator of anthropology in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, and for nearly 10 years he applied to its administration and to the building up of its collections the experience he had gained in Cambridge and Chicago. It was again largely through his efforts that the University of California established a department of anthropology in 1903, and he held the position of professor of anthropology and director of the anthropological museum in that institution until his retirement in 1909.

In his long life of scientific work a great deal of Prof. Putnam's attention was necessarily devoted to administrative and editorial duties, but he found time, nevertheless, for the writing of a large number of scientific papers, and the bibliography appended to the anniversary volume presented to him in 1909 by his associates and students, contains something over 400 titles. His membership in scientific societies, both at home and abroad, was extensive. In this country he was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and a great many others; outside the United States he was an honorary or corresponding member of the anthropological societies of Great Britain, Paris, Stockholm, Berlin, Rome, Florence, and Brussels, of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and others of minor

importance. In 1868 he received the degree of A. M. from Williams College; in 1894 the degree of S. D. from the University of Pennsylvania; and in 1896 the Cross of the Legion of Honor from the French Government.

Prof. Putnam was twice married: In 1864 to Adelaide Martha Edmands, of Cambridge, by whom he had three children, two daughters and one son. After her death, 15 years later, he married in 1882 Ester Orne Clarke, of Chicago, who, with his three children, survives him.

To his students and associates Prof. Putnam endeared himself by his kindliness and sympathy. For every one he had a cordial greeting and a pleasant word. He was ready always to give unstintedly of his time, and so far as he was able, from his pocket, to anyone who asked his aid. He had the gift of inspiring those with whom he came in contact with enthusiasm for research, and to few is it given to have so wide an influence. Until the very last years the great majority of those in this country who were working in the anthropological field had been associated more or less closely with Prof. Putnam, either as students or colleagues in the various institutions of which he he had been a member. His loss, therefore, is widely felt, not only because he was an able administrator and the last of the three founders of anthropological study in this country but also because he had won the affections of so many as a teacher and a friend. (Extract from Science, n. s., vol. 42, p. 638.)

PAUL EHRLICH.

Paul Ehrlich was a genius of the first order. He was born in Strehlen, Germany, March 14, 1854, and died at Frankfort-on-theMain August 20, 1915. While he was still a student of medicine, the problems presented by the affinity of lead for certain tissues attracted his attention. From speculating on the nature of this affinity, his interest grew to include protoplasmic affinities in general, and thus was determined the direction his genius should take.

Some of the notable results of his early investigations are discoveries in bacterial staining methods, which proved of great value to Koch and which, ever since, have been in daily use everywhere; the microchemical differentiation of leukocytes, on which rests the study of the blood for clinical purposes; the development of the methylene blue reaction on living tissues, and the formulation of that unique conception of protoplasmic structure and function on which he based the great side-chain theory which he advanced to explain the reactions in immunity and other phenomena.

What might be termed the second phase of Ehrlich's work concerned investigations in immunity under the guidance of the side25049°-S. Doc. 264, 64-1-3

chain conception. No better illustration of the practical usefulness of the imagination in creating a successful working hypothesis can be given than the results achieved by Ehrlich in the field of immunity. Perhaps the usefulness is seen most clearly in the standardization of diphtheria antitoxin, which was a direct outcome. of experiments devised according to the side-chain idea. Ehrlich's method, to the exclusion of others, is used all over the world; but the influence of the work carried out to his pupils still dominates investigation in all branches of immunity and the practical use of the knowledge obtained therefrom.

The side-chain theory is so well known that it is not necessary to restate it except in the most succinct form. A toxin or other antigen is without action on the animal body unless bound by molecular chains in the cells-receptors. But when so bound, the antigen causes injury to the cell, and subsequent repair, in the course of which there is an overproduction of receptors, which, passing into the blood and lymph, constitute the antibody for the antigen in question, because the antigen is now bound and neutralized or destroyed before it can reach the cell. As expressed by Behring, antibodies are free cell receptors, and the elements which, when situated in the cells, are essential for the action of toxins, for instance, are also the means of healing when free in the blood. In accord with the principles of this theory, Ehrlich's vivid mind coined numerous new words, which proved helpful in the discussion of new facts and ideas, and which soon passed into current international usage.

Ehrlich's last work was the development of the experimental chemotherapy of syphilis and certain other spirochetal infections. To discuss this wonderful work fully in all its ramifications is not possible at this time. The scientific world has accepted "the development through a lengthy series of systematic biochemical experiments, based on original conceptions of the affinities of cellular constituents, of a successful chemotherapy of important human infections, by direct attack on the parasites by substances specially built up for that purpose and introduced from without," and introduced from without," as the fitting culmination of the tireless activities of an altogether unique investigative spirit. As pointed out elsewhere, Ehrlich's results in experimental chemotherapy fully justify Huxley's prediction in 1881 that through discoveries in therapeutics it would become possible "to introduce into the economy a molecular mechanism which, like a cunningly contrived torpedo, shall find its way to some particular group of living elements and cause an explosion among them, leaving the rest untouched.

Paul Ehrlich will live in the history of civilization as one of the great investigators, genial, creative, fertile, excelling in "that bold

ness of the scientific use of the imagination which alone can extend beyond the obvious fact and reveal the unknown," one of the great benefactors of mankind.

He was elected a foreign associate of the National Academy of Sciences in 1904.

(Extract from Science, n. s., vol. 42, p. 332.)

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREASURER.

JANUARY 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1915.

To the PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report as treasurer for the fiscal year, January 1 to December 31, 1915. Before presenting the detailed statements of the report, some special features of the financial transactions of the year will be mentioned:

The income of the academy during the year, from dues, investments, subscriptions to Proceedings, contributions to the Proceedings fund and William Ellery Hale lectureship, was $15,685.03; the expenditures, exclusive of investments, amounted to $9,115.34.

The sum of investments held by the academy on December 31 was $228,071.85 (price paid), yielding on that date at the rate of 4.98 per cent. The total income from investments received during the year was $11,476.31.

Changes in investments may be summarized as follows: Eight first-mortgage notes on real estate, amounting to $8,000, were paid. in full, one was curtailed by the payment of $1,000, and one bond of $1,000 was called and paid; bonds were purchased to the amount of $8,307.50 (face value, $8,500).

The academy has now received the full amount of $10,000, bequeathed to it by the late O. C. Marsh, the final payment of $750 having been received during the year.

The special fund contributed by members and friends of the academy toward the expenses of the publication of the Proceedings amounts to $1,148.70.

Payments made on grants from various funds, in aid of research and for medals, amounted to $6,915.56.

TRUST FUNDS OF THE ACADEMY.

The trust funds of the academy, the income of which is administered for specific purposes, are enumerated below. The capital of certain funds has been increased beyond the amount of the original gift or bequest, by the transfer of accumulated income, at the request of the donors or by action of the academy.

$56, 000. 00

Bache fund: Bequest of Alexander Dallas Bache, a member of the academy, 1870. To aid researches in physical and natural sciences..... Watson fund: Bequest of James C. Watson, a member of the academy, 1874. For the promotion of astronomical science through the award of the Watson gold medal and grants of money in aid of research....... 25,000.00