xviii Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 



addressed the Academy, and in the course of his remarks 

 called attention to the long and faithful service of Mr. M. 

 L. Gray, the retiring President. On motion, a committee, 

 composed of Professor Nipher, Mr. Trelease and Dr. Sander, 

 was appointed to prepare a resolution expressive of the 

 Academy's appreciation of Mr. Gray's services. 



Dr. Amand Ravold spoke informally of formaldehyde gas 

 as a disinfectant, and exhibited several forms of apparatus 

 adapted to its use. It was stated that although, in confined 

 spaces, the gas has proved to be an effective disinfectant, 

 which has the merit of not injuring the most delicate fabrics 

 or polished metal surfaces, its germicide action in dwelling 

 rooms has thus far proved less satisfactory than that of sul- 

 phur dioxide and chlorine, so far as it has been tested by the 

 Health Department of the City of St. Louis, so that, as yet, 

 the Health Department has not found it possible to employ it 

 as a substitute for the older and in some respects more objec- 

 tionable disinfectants. 



Two persons were proposed for active membership. 



January 17, 1898. 



President Engler in the chair. 



The committee appointed at the last meeting to take suit- 

 able action on the withdrawal of Mr. M. L. Gray from active 

 participation in the affairs of the Academy submitted the 

 following report : — 



To the President and Members of the St. Louis Academy of Science: 



Gentlemen : Your committee, appointed to recommend suitable action 

 on the withdrawal of Mr. M. L. Gray from service in your council, beg leave 

 to report as follows : — 



The committee does not feel that we are in any sense taking leave of our 

 associate and friend, but we feel that his long and devoted service to the 

 Academy has entitled him to ask our consideration in seeking relief from 

 the drudgery and responsibilities of business and executive details. Surely 

 it was not the desire to do work of this kind that has caused him for so 

 many years to be so constantly in attendance upon our meetings. 



We know that his request to be relieved of such duties is not due to 

 any decrease in his interest in the cause which the Academy represents. 

 We know that his zeal in promoting the higher interests of the Academy will 

 still continue. But it is proper and fitting that we should at this time assure 



