xH 



for the perpetual maintenance of the garden and arboretum. It had al- 

 ways been his delight to minister to the pleasure of the public. His gates 

 were always open that others might enjoy the rare and beautiful plants 

 which he had collected. He provides for the perpetual continuation of 

 his policy, and directs that the ornamental and attractive features of the 

 garden shall be maintained. But he does vastly more; he provides for 

 the instruction of garden pupils in practical and scientific horticulture, 

 agriculture, and arboriculture. He declares that scientific investigations 

 in botany proper, in vegetable physiology, the diseases of plants, the stu- 

 dy of the forms of vegetable life and of animal life injurious to vegetation, 

 experimental investigations in horticulture and arboriculture, are also to 

 be carried on. 



He has founded a great scientific institution, and has clearly defined 

 the broad field which it is to cover; yet he has the rare wisdom to leave 

 the details of instruction to those to whose administration the trust was 

 left, that, as he says, they may shape the particular course of things to 

 the condition of the times. 



It is very evident that this trust needs only a prudent and able admin- 

 istration to develop here in onr midst a scientific institution which will 

 be an honor to American science. 



As members of the Academy we should, and do, feel a lively interes; 

 in the success of this magnificent bequest. We should also feel that in 

 giving the Academy of Science a share in the administration of this trust, 

 by making its President an ex-ofiicio member of the Board of Trustees 

 he has placed upon us a serious responsibility. 



As an official acceptance of this trust, I recommend that service 

 upon the Board of Trustees of the Missouri Botanical Garden shall, by 

 amendment to the constitution, be incorporated among the duties of the 

 President. 



The establishment of the garden on a sure and lasting basis has had 

 the result of saving for permanent preservation in our midst the valuable 

 herbarium and library of the late Dr. George Engelmann. It is not too 

 much to say that the herbarium, representing as it does the life-work of 

 one, who, as a worker in science, has had few equals in this country, is 

 the crowning glory of the garden. It would have been a serious loss if 

 this collection had been allowed to go elsewhere, or to suffer injury from 

 lack of proper care. 



During the year the meetings of the Academy have been regularly 

 held, and many interesting communications have been made. Four have 

 been elected to membership, and two have died. At the close of the year 

 the membership numbers seventy-six. 



The report of the Treasurer was referred to an Auditing Com- 

 mittee, and found by them to be correct. 



The annual election of officers for the year 1S90 resulted as 

 follows : 



