ABSTRACT' OF IIISTOIIY OF THE MICHIGAN ACADEMY 



OF SCIENCE. 



The movement which tinally resulted in the oi'<i:anization of the Mich- 

 igan Academy of Science was first started in 1892. In response to a feel- 

 ing that it was desirable to effect an organization of the men interested 

 in the work in natural science in the State of ^lichigan, a circular letter 

 was sent to a considerable number of men believed to be interested, 

 asking for their opinions in regard to the organization of a State Society 

 of Naturalists, the scope of the work, and the character of the mem- 

 bership. This letter was sent out by Prof. J. E. Keighard, of the Uni- 

 versity of Michigan, and was also signed by Profs. V, M. Spalding, W. 

 H. Howell and J. B. Steere, of the same institution, all interested 

 in the biological sciences. 



The answers to this letter indicated that an organization was desir- 

 able with a membership not very closely restricted. 



Nothing further was done until 1894, when another letter was sent out 

 by Profs. J. B. Steere, W. 1*. Lombard, and F, C. Newcombe, of the Uni- 

 versity of Michigan, calling a meeting at the University' for June 27, to 

 organize a State Natural History- Society. About 25 people responded 

 to this call, and a temporary organization was ett'ected. The officers 

 elected at this meeting served until a permanent organization was ef- 

 fected, and acted as an advisory board with the duty of recommending 

 a name for the society, and a constitution and by-laws for adoption by 

 it. The name recommended was the "Michigan Academy of Sciences," 

 and the object of the society was the study of agriculture, archaeology, 

 botany, geography, geology, mineral resources, zoology, etc., of the State 

 of Micliigan, and the diffusion of the knowledge thus gained among 

 men. 



The permanent organization was finally effected at a meeting held in 

 Lansing, December 2G and 27, 1894, at which a constitution and by-laws 

 were adopted, and sections organized in zoology, botany and sanitary 

 science. 



The constitution provides for a summer or field meeting and a winter 

 or annual meeting. At present (1901) the summer meetings have been 

 di'^continued by common consent. The winter meetings have been con- 

 tinued with increasing impoitance and value. At the second field meet- 

 ing held at the ^lichigan Agricultural College, June 13, 189G, permis- 

 sion was granted to organize a section of agriculture; so that the acade- 

 my at the present time consists of four sections, those of zoology, 

 botany, sanitary science, and agriculture. 



Important aid was given to the ^lichigan Academy of Science by the 

 State Legislature in 1899. Section 14 of act No. 44 provides for the 



'The history of the Academy wiU be found in full in the First Annual Report. 



