tion than of mere averages. The month of December was remarkable as 

 having a mean temperature of 13.2 degrees higher than the average for 

 fortj-two years, and 4.9 degrees higher than the next warmest (1S75) dur- 

 ing that period. Dandelions and many other spring flowers were in bloom 

 in the woods, and it is worthy of remark in this connection that similar 

 unseasonably warm December weather obtained in England and other 

 parts of Europe. 



The Weather Service, started the first of last month by one of our 

 members, promises well. It is intended to develop this weather service 

 into a bureau of useful information ; to train persons in each county in 

 habits of observation, to whom the entomologist, botanist, etc., may look 

 for much valuable information. To do all this will require time and a 

 great deal of work on the part of the director, Prof. Nipher. At the 

 central station, at Washington University, observations will be made as 

 complete as possible, as well on the general meteorology of our State, 

 as on terrestrial magnetism and atmospheric electricity, ozone, and sun- 

 spots. 



CONCLUSION. 



It is now nearly twenty-two years since a few zealous citizens interested 

 in natural science met together and organized this association, and we may 

 well feel proud that some of those original founders of the Academy are 

 among our most active working members and most constant attendants at 

 our meetings. At times, no doubt, well nigh discouraged, these faithful 

 members have stood steadfastly by the Academy where so many have for- 

 saken it. May they be inspired to continued aid by the assurance that, as 

 time rolls on and the Academy grows in power and usefulness, their names 

 will shine with still increasing lustre, and future members will look back 

 with reverential feeling to those who, by their investigations, their self- 

 sacrifices, and their unswerving constancy, did so much, not only to give 

 birth to the Academy, but to carry it through the struggles of infancy. 

 While I have freely pointed out some of the faults we suffer from in the 

 hope that they may be remedied, I by no means forget that we have much 

 to be grateful for. When we recall some of the dark years of war, debt, 

 and misfortune— when we reflect that between 1868 and 1873 we were una- 

 ble to publish anything, we may well congratulate ourselves that we are 

 progressing, surely, if slowly. While the country has passed through five 

 years of unexampled depression in all departments of industry, the advance 

 of science has not been impeded, and through it all the Academy has ac- 

 complished more than during the previous years of national prosperity. 

 Two of the most despotic nations of the East have, during the year, begun, 

 and are still carrying on, a cruel and devastating war ; yet both France and 

 our own country— to the glory of republics be it said — have peaceably settled 

 civil strifes that threatened to end in revolution and all its attendant car- 

 nage and misery. The signs of the times point to a returning period of 

 business activity in this country, and let us hope for and work for a share 

 in the general prosperity, that we may leave to those who come after us 



