258 TRANS. OF THE ACAD. OP SCIENCE. 



The number of our active paying members is, as the Treasurer's books 

 show, forty six, six of whom have been added during this year. The 

 names on the books, to be sure, number sixty-five, but several former 

 members have formally withdrawn, and others have done so silently, by 

 refusing to pay their contributions, and by abstaining from any participa- 

 tion in our affairs. A much smaller number are really active members, 

 that is, such as frequent the regular meetings of the Academy, take part 

 in the discussions, read papers, or contribute to our Transactions. It is 

 gratifying to know that these do all they can, and successfully, too, to 

 keep up the character of our Institution, at home and abroad ; and it is 

 desirable that all those of our citizens, who are able, should also be will- 

 ing to co-operate with us, and help us to sustain our Academy, and in it 

 the character and reputation of our city. 



As an outward symbol of our scientific fraternity, and one which would 

 bind us more closely together, we have resolved to have a diploma and a 

 seal engraved ; circumstances have as yet prevented this from being car- 

 ried into effect, but it is expected that now it can and will be done, and 

 will contribute to the desired result. 



I have alluded to our now being almost free of debt. We have become 

 so not through. our regular income, but through the great liberality of a 

 number of our members, who have, by subscribing fifty dollars each, re- 

 lieved our treasury of an incubus which could not but cramp our energies. 

 As another relief for our empty treasury and at the same time as a relief 

 for those of our members who do not like to be troubled with the small 

 and often returning regular contributions, the institution of life membership 

 was resolved upon. Thus far the effect has been very limited, only one 

 gentleman having become such life member, by paying into the treas- 

 ury once for all the sum of fifty dollars. But, it is hoped that as soon as 

 this arrangement shall become better known other gentlemen will follow. 



Besides numerous minor communications, the following papers were 

 read before the Academy during the meetings of the year just past, the 

 most of them intended for publication : 



Dr. Shumard on the Fourche a-Courtois mines. On new species of Bry- 

 ozoa, a paper left unfinished by Dr. H. A. Prout, and completed after his 

 death by Dr. Shumard. A critical catalogue of North American palaao- 

 zoic Brachiopoda. On the Sour Lake of Texas. An historical, statistical 

 and geological investigation of the lead mines of South-Eastern Missouri. 



Mr. Ran on Indian antiquities in New Jersey. 



Mr. Bandelier, on the Milk Sickness in Illinois. 



Prof. Owen, on an important deposit of Bock Salt, on the coast of Wes- 

 tern Louisiana. 



Dr. Wislizenus, on Atmospherical Electricity. 



Mr. Broadhead, on the Mineral Springs of Missouri. 



Dr. Engelmann, on the Meteorology of 1863, and different meteorolog- 

 ical communications; on the stage of the Mississippi in 1863; on the 

 eccentric growth of the wood of several of our climbers ; further investi- 

 gations on coniferous trees ; investigations on the genus Callitricke; fur- 

 ther remarks on Ndumbivm luteum. 



Prof. Hobyn gave us a lecture on Braille''s method of instructing the 

 Blind, and 



Mr. Pratviel on his method of teaching Perspective. 



A new feature in the usefulness of our Academy was exhibited last win- 

 ter and spring when several of our members lectured before the students 

 of the Washington University, and such citizens as chose to attend, on 

 different scientific subjects, materially aided by the exhibition of speci- 

 men- from the collections of the Academy. 



Our museum was enriched by an extensive collection of sea animals 

 preserved in alcohol, presented by our member. Mr. Harrison. 



Mr. Broadhead donated to the museum an instructive botanical collec- 

 tion, brought together by him in the western counties of our State ; also 

 fresh-water shells from the same region. 



