mostly by exchanges and donations from scientific societies all over the 

 globe, and containing between three and four thousand volumes and pam- 

 phlets, is exclusively of a scientific character, and especially devoted to 

 natural science. Hundreds of learned societies, who favor us with their pub- 

 lications, increase yearly the number of our books, and thus provide us 

 with a Scientific Library which for its generality, intrinsic value and variety 

 could not be procured in book stores even at great expense. This valuable 

 collection is now in the reading room of the Polytechnic. The Board of 

 Public Schools, who own at present this magnificent building, offered us, 

 after our expulsion by fire, with great liberality, a room in the Polytechnic 

 for meetings, and a separate place for our books in their own Library. A 

 contract to that effect was signed by both parties towards the end of the 

 year. Being provided again with a proper room, and with cases for our 

 Library, we ought to make strenuous efforts to have the books at once put 

 up, rearranged and catalogued to make them useful to ourselves and the pub- 

 lic. After all the afflictions that befell us the past year, it was not to be ex- 

 pected that we should have felt encouraged to unusual activity: still we kept 

 up our regular meetings (except during the hottest months) ; we continued 

 scientific discussions, regular meteorological reports were made, occasion- 

 ally papers were read, for instance, one by Prof. Spencer Smith, on the 

 origin of the Indian Mounds, which stirred up many antiquarians ; but most 

 of our time was, after all, taken up by unavoidable business, and the pub- 

 lication of our Transactions was this year out of the question. Being rein- 

 stated, we now begin a new year with renewed efforts towards progress. 



The number of our present associate members is about 70, six of which 

 have been received in the past year. The report of the Treasurer will show 

 you that if the regular contributions of our associate members were paid 

 more promptly, they might cancel our present debts, amounting to about 

 $400. At any rate the next annual contribution coming in March, will 

 have that result, and, it is the hope, leave us a surplus to publish again 

 some Transactions, provide for the Library, start a new Museum, etc. 



Having disposed of the business part of my report, allow me yet to add 

 a few words in regard to the scientific purport of our Society. Academies 

 of Science generally flourish more in older countries, where, patronized by 

 government, they find ample pecuniary means, and more men of leisure 

 pursuing specialties in natural science. The patronage of government is 

 not so much needed in a country where the liberality of individuals is wont 

 to furnish means for the most various public undertakings. But immediate 

 usefulness is the criterion by which all such institutions are judged in this 

 practical land of utilitarianism. The quiet and tedious pursuit of scientific 

 researches is not always appreciated, except when accompanied by visible, 

 eminent results. Such golden fruits, however, do not every day ripen and 

 fall from the tree of science ; the harvest is but occasional, while the labor 

 is constant. Lovers of science have, therefore, to content themselves often 

 with the conviction of having searched after truth, which is the highest 

 and last aim of science; truth, in investigating the complicated phenomena 

 of Nature; truth, in reducing them to certain laws. This is the great privi- 



