208 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



In December, a petition to the Society having been presented for the formation of a 

 section of Microscopy, signed by Messrs. S. P. Sharpies, Samuel Wells, R. R. Andrews, 

 Edward Burgess, J. Frank Brown, David Hunt, Jr., Francis A. Osborn, R. C. Greenleaf, 

 A. Hyatt, G. F. Waters, and W. F. Whitney, the consent of the Corporate Members was 

 given at two meetings in accordance with the By-laws, and the section was thus formed. 



1880. Walker Grand Honorary Prize. In January, the Committee on the award of 

 the Walker Grand Honorary prize, having unanimously recommended Dr. Joseph Leidy, of 

 Philadelphia, as eminently worthy to receive it, for his prolonged investigations and dis- 

 covei'ies in Zoology and Palaeontology, as presented in publications made by him, it was 

 voted by the Council that the grand prize be given to Dr. Leidy, and that in conse- 

 quence of the extraordinary merit of his work that the sum awarded be one thousand 

 dollars. 



In January, also, the Custodian reported to the Council that the Committee of the 

 department of Comparative Anatomy objected to his proposed re-arrangement of the col- 

 lection of that department, and asked that the question at issue might be referred to the 

 next meeting for decision. Thus was brought before the Council the very important mat- 

 ter of determining whether the collection of Comparative Anatomy, like the other collec- 

 tions of the Society, should be arranged in subordination to the great plan proposed and 

 adopted at the commencement of the decade for the whole museum, or if the collection of 

 that department should remain an exception, not becoming a part of a series, the full 

 completion of which was essential to illustrate in the best manner the general laws of 

 science. 



At the next meeting of the Council, which was held January 21, there was a very full 

 attendance, and a warm discussion took place upon the proposed action of the Custodian 

 in which Dr. Dvvight, representing the Committee of the department of Compai'ative 

 Anatomy, — Professors Hyatt and Shaler, Colonel Lyman and Messrs. Allen and Bouve 

 took part. 



The great work that had been done by members of the committee upon the collection 

 in past years, demanded that all said by them against a change should be thoughtfully 

 and respectfully considered. There was therefore, no disposition to hasten a decision, 

 and accordingly a vote was passed referring the matter to a connnittee of three to be 

 appointed by the President. Colonel Theodore Lyman and Messrs. S. H. Scudder and Sam- 

 uel Wells were named as this committee, and instructed to report at a meeting to be held 

 a week later. Upon the Council again coming together a report was presented by the 

 chairman of the committee favoring the proposed re-arrangement, whereupon Dr. Dwight 

 said he would not further oppose the execution of the plan of the Custodian, though he 

 personally believed the collections would be injured by the change. 



The Council then passed a vote with but one dissentient voice, approving the proposed 

 action of the Custodian in carrying out the plan of 1870, with regard to the department 

 of Comparative Anatomy. 



Thus was settled, not without much feeling, but amicably, a question, the decision of 

 which in favor of the proposed change, was regarded by the great majority as most 

 important for the welfare of the Society, whilst a number of members influential through 

 eminent service in its behalf, thought the proposed action uncalled for and detrimental. 



