1879.] NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 437 



by Dr. Charles Pickering, was published at Boston, in May, 1879. 

 It is a quarto volume of 1222 pages. The work is conspicuous on 

 account of the immense erudition and industry displayed by the 

 author. It will ever stand an enduring monument significant of 

 the respect due to his memory. 



This volume is mentioned here because Dr. Pickering was a 

 diligent student in the Academy, and served it efficient^ and very 

 constantly during eleven years, from the early part of 1827 till 

 the middle of 1838. His studies in this Academy contributed 

 largely to qualify him to deserve the very high position he at- 

 tained in the scientific world. 



Gratuitous labor has produced all the matter published by the 

 Academy and its entomological section ; and probably the authors 

 of the volumes named have little hope of pecuniary profit from 

 their work. 



The fourth named purpose : to render knowledge of the natural 

 sciences attractive and interesting. 



During many years the students of all medical colleges in the 

 city have been freely admitted to the museum on exhibiting their 

 matriculating tickets to the janitor. Annual complimentary tick- 

 ets have been issued to the teachers of the public schools, who are 

 authorized to bring with them at each visit, a limited number of 

 their pupils. The museum is accessible to all persons every day 

 except Sunday, on the payment of an admission fee of ten cents. 

 The amount received on this account indicates that the museum 

 has been visited by 3540 persons besides members and those in- 

 troduced by them. 



Summaries of the proceedings of the Academy are published in 

 the newspapers. They are supposed to be generally interesting. 



In the ways indicated the several purposes of the institution 

 are carried out, it is believed, with considerable success. 



The sections afford opportunity to those having like pursuits 

 and congenial tastes to work together, and are useful in their in- 

 fluence on the general interests of the society. It is not perceived 

 that they are in any way detrimental to scientific progress. 



The by-law of May, 1876, which authorizes the appointment of 

 professors is inoperative, because the endowments for their sup- 

 port, which were hoped for at the time, have not been made, and 

 because candidates have not applied for the positions. 



In spite of the lack of professors, the Academy is reasonably 



