1892.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 487 



S. Aiichinchloss, E. F. Smith, H. LeBarre Jayne, S. N. Rhoadsand 

 Mi's. E. L. Head. The actual increase in membership, therefore, 

 at the end of the year is forty-one. 



The departure of the expedition for the relief of Lieutenant 

 Peary, and its return, Sept. 23, accompanied by the exploring party 

 which had been^left at McCormick Bay, July 30 of the preceding 

 year, were the events in the current history of the Academy which 

 attracted most popular attention and interest. The details of the 

 enterprise, the success of Lieutenant Peary and his associates, 

 and of the party which went to their relief under the direction of 

 Professor Heilprin, have been reported to the Academy. It is 

 gratifying to be able to record that the work of investigating the 

 geography of Northern Greenland and the region beyond, so ably 

 carried on by Lieutenant Peary, will in all probability be continued 

 by him during the coming year, as on the application of the Presi- 

 dent of the Academy, he has been granted leave of absence for that 

 purpose by the Navy Department. 



The new lecture hall of the Academy, an important addition to 

 the educational facilities of the society, was transferred by the Board 

 of Trustees of the Building Fund, Feb. 23. The usual Friday 

 evening lectures are delivered in it. Its use was granted to 

 Professor Rothrock for the delivery of the Michaux forestry 

 lectures, and several of the meetings of the Geographical Club, a 

 society in close affiliation with the Academy, have been held 

 therein. 



In response to an application from the State Board of Health, 

 Dr. S. G. Dixon was appointed March 8th as the representative 

 of the Academy to act in conjunction with the Board in making a 

 bacteriological exhibition at the coming Columbian Exposition in 

 Chicago. It is gratifying that the society is thus to be associated 

 with a representation of a branch of original research which is 

 certainly second to none in the jn-actically beneficial results to be 

 derived from its cultivation. 



Mr. Jacob Binder was re-appointed Curator of the AVilliam S. 

 Vaux collections. As Mr. Binder has been, during a portion of the 

 year, unable in consequence of failing health to discharge the 

 duties of the position, Mr. W. W. Jefferis was appointed as his 

 associate. The growth of the collections under their charge is 

 recorded in the special report prepared by Mr. Jefl^eris. 



