272 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



do, and thus put an end to everything like narrowness or selfishness 

 in one's own work. The academy, as has already been seen, had begun 

 to act, as it has continued to do, as a mediator between the government, 

 which has the funds for important enterprises, and the men who, 

 though poor, have the ability successfully to carry them out. Hence 

 it is that for a quarter of a century at least the academy has been able 

 to direct most of the great scientific enterprises of Germany and has 

 given impulse and needed assistance to private efforts in narrow and 

 limited, yet important fields of research. The income, which increases 

 nearly every year with gifts by will and from people interested in its 

 'work, in 1900 amounted to 213,462 Marks, a little more than $53,000. 

 The income had averaged from 1897 to 1900 136,462 Marks, or a little 

 more than $39,000. Since May, 1898, one third of the interest of the 

 Frau Maria Elizabeth Wentzel-Heckmann foundation, or of a capital 

 of 1,500,000 Marks, has been available for scientific enterprises of the 

 first magnitude. At the death of Frau Heckmann the interest of the 

 entire sum will be available for the spread of scientific knowledge. 

 It is stipulated that the income shall not be limited to a single field. 

 While the academy may suggest the field to which the money shall be 

 given, its final disposal is in the hands of a commission composed of 

 the cultus minister and six persons, three of whom are to be chosen by 

 the academy every five years. Thus far the gift has furnished means 

 for a dictionary of the German law language, justified the academy 

 in beginning the publication of an edition of the oldest Greek writers, 

 which will embrace not less than fifty volumes, and provided for the 

 equipment of an expedition to German East Africa for the study of 

 natural history. A good deal of money is expended every year for 

 prizes, although these are less favored than formerly, and an increasing 

 amount in aiding individuals in special work of importance. 



Changes in some of the statutes of the academy were adopted on 

 March 2, 1881, by which its efficiency has been very much increased. 

 The number of general meetings was reduced one half and those of the 

 classes and their sections increased one half. The number of active 

 members was put at 54, 27 for each class. The foreign members were 

 reduced from 16 to 10 for each class, and since 1882 reports, formerly 

 published every month, are now published weekly. These reports are 

 of the highest value and are indispensable to those who would keep 

 abreast of the advance made by Germany in scientific, historical or 

 philosophical studies. Active members are paid 900 Marks ($225) 

 a year, and are expected to attend all the sessions of the academy and 

 to undertake any work which the members of their class may lay upon 

 them. Secretaries are paid twice as much and persons employed for 

 a longer or shorter time for special service are paid as the academy 

 may direct. The chemist, the botanist and the geologist receive a 

 salary which will enable them to live in Berlin. 



