Record. xli 



Since, through the munificence of Mrs. Eliza McMillan and her son, Mr. 

 W. N. McMillan, the Academy has been put into possession of a home of 

 its own, we have been enabled to unpack a large part of our collection and 

 to display a large number of specimens in an attractive and useful manner 

 in the museum on the third floor. No pain has been spared during the past 

 year by our curators in getting this museum into a presentable condition, 

 at least, as far as our means would permit. The lack of funds and con- 

 sequently the inability of getting more suitable cases must be blamed for 

 the fact that by far not all of the specimens in our possession have as yet 

 been unpacked and displayed. Yet, thanks to our curators, enough has been 

 done during this year that we can point with some pride to our museum 

 and the public at large is begiuning to know of its existence and to show an 

 interest in it. 



It will be to our advantage not only to keep this interest alive but also to 

 stimulate it constantly and to draw the attention of the public to the 

 museum, since, more than our scientific labors, it is apt to do missionary 

 work for the Academy. Every one of us, furthermore, when chance offers, 

 should make an effort to increase the size and usefulness of the museum, a 

 fact which was many a time lost sight of in former years when we had no 

 room and the collections were stored away out of sight and in consequence 

 valueless. 



We have received a number of valuable donations to the museum during 

 the past year which the curators' report will probably specify to you. 



The library, which through our exchanges grows continually, has also re- 

 ceived a number of valuable gifts, with which the Librarian's report will 

 make you acquainted. 



The lectures at the regular meetings have of late years frequently been of 

 a more popular character, notably in 1904, and in consequence a larger 

 attendance was noted. It is probably due to the fact that during last year 

 fewer popular lectures were delivered that the attendance has dropped from 

 510 to 404. The largest attendance, 70, was noted on June 5th, the small- 

 est, 12, on April 3rd. The average attendance, which in 1904 was 32, was 

 but 27 in 1905. Since a great many of our members are not personally 

 engaged in scientific work, but take enough interest in it to help the 

 Academy along with their yearly contribution, it seems to be but just that 

 we give a certain number of meetings over to considerations on a broader 

 scale and of a more popular character, which this large number of our 

 members may enjoy and by which they may be attracted to our meetings. 



Death has caused the Academy a heavy loss during the last year, not alone 

 in numbers but especially in the character of the deceased, most of whom 

 were members of long standing and of great value to the Academy. Their 

 names were Edwin Harrison, a patron and former President; Emil Pree- 

 torius, Chas. Parsons, Wm. H. Pulsifer and Chas. V. F. Ludwig. In- 

 cluding these losses by death, the Academy has lost sixteen members during 

 last year, but gained six new members. Our total membership now is 386, 

 including patrons, honorary, non-resident and corresponding members, a 

 loss of ten since last year. 



Since, aside from all other considerations, the loss of a member means a 

 smaller income to the Academy, we cannot too much urge upon our mem- 

 bers to exert their influence, not alone to fill this gap as quickly as pos- 



