4 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



men's minds. If they could not help in one way, they could in 

 another. What more natural than this willingness to place their 

 knowledge and skill in scientific matters at the disposal of the 

 Government? This was an act of patriotism, and patriotism 

 was in the air. 



While engineers, astronomers and mathematicians were then 

 well represented in the works of those who were serving their 

 country in one capacity or another, it was a difficult matter for 

 those in authority to secure authoritative opinions and advice 

 in other branches of science. There was a gap to be filled. By 

 granting a charter to a group of the leading workers in all 

 branches of science on the terms under consideration, the gap 

 was filled in what appeared to be a most satisfactory manner. 

 After that act, there could no longer be excuse for not seeking 

 scientific advice whenever it was desired or needed. 



How did this work? An examination of the records shows 

 that for a number of years after the National Academy was 

 incorporated, the Government frequently called for reports. 

 Six such reports were made in the first year of the existence 

 of the Academy. The subjects were: 



" On the protection of the bottoms of iron vessels." 



" On the magnetic deviations in iron ships." 



" On an alcoholometer." 



" On the explosion of a boiler on the United States gunboat Chenango." 



" On the use of aluminium bronze for cent coinage." 



" On wind and current charts and sailing directions." 



In 1865 there were two reports; in 1866, four; in 1867, two, 

 both of which are worthy of special mention. They are : 



" On the improvement of Greytown Harbor, Nicaragua," and 

 " On galvanic action from association of iron and zinc." 



In 1868 there were two. In 1870 there was one report, " On 

 the protection of coal mines from explosions by electricity"; 

 another, " On removal of ink from revenue stamps," and a third, 

 " On silk culture in the United States." 



