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January, 1843.J 



At the suggestion of the Chairman, the communication from 

 Dr. Ravenel, read at a late meeting of the Academy, describ- 

 ing a new species of Pecten, was referred to a Committee. 



Mr. Phillips, Dr. Morton, and Mr. Conrad were appointed 

 as the Committee. 



MEETING FOR BUSINESS, January 31, 1S43. 



Vice President Morton in the Chair. 



After the Reports of several Committees, and that of the 

 Corresponding Secretary had been read, the following An- 

 nual Report was presented by the Recording Secretary. 



REPORT. 



In presenting his Report of the operations of the Society during the past 

 year, the Recording Secretary embraces the opportunity of congratulating 

 the members upon the present condition of the Institution, and the flatter- 

 ing prospect which it has of prosperity for the future. 



The state of its finances, as appears from the report of the Treasurer, 

 and, to use his words, " is superior to that of any period since its organi- 

 zation." This satisfactory state of things has been occasioned principally 

 by the receipt, in February last, of the sum of $6000, being the balance of 

 the second subscription of the late William Maclure. To his brother and 

 executor, Mr. Alexander Maclure, is the Society under great obligations, 

 for the persevering efforts which were made by him to accomplish this 

 object, and also for the interest which he manifested in the general wel- 

 fare of our Institution. The Academy has been thereby enabled to liqui- 

 date several urgent claims, and greatly to reduce the debt incurred in the 

 purchase of the ground on which the present building is erected. 



In addition to this, its funds have been considerably augmented during 

 the last few months by the final and successful settlement of a long pend- 

 ing suit for a claim of upwards of $5000 against the heirs of an unsettled 

 estate. This was a mortgage transferred to the Academy many years 

 since, by the late Wm. Maclure. In consequence of many difficulties and 

 vexatious delays thrown in the way of settlement of this matter, the Aca- 

 demy had hitherto been unable to make this fund in any way available. 

 By a compromise made with the heirs, fourteen per cent, of the 



