ABSTRACT OF HISTOEY. 



ORGANIZATION. 



The Academy of Science of St. Louis was organized on 

 the 10th of March, 1856, in the hall of the Board of Public 

 Schools. Dr. George Engelmann was the first President. 



CHAETEE. 



On the 17th of January following, a charter incorporat- 

 ing the Academy was signed and approved, and this was 

 accepted by a vote of the Academy on the 9th of February, 

 1857. 



OBJECTS. 



The act of incorporation declares the object of the 

 Academy to be the advancement of science and the estab- 

 lishment in St. Louis of a museum and library for the 

 illustration and study of its various branches, and pro- 

 vides that the members shall acquire no individual prop- 

 erty in the real estate, cabinets, library, or other of its 

 effects, their interest being merely usufructuary. 



The constitution as adopted at the organization meet- 

 ing and amended at various times subsequently, provides 

 for holding meetings for the consideration and discussion 

 of scientific subjects ; taking measures to procure original 

 papers upon such subjects; the publication of transac- 

 tions ; the establishment and maintenance of a cabinet of 

 objects illustrative of the several departments of science 

 and a library of works relating to the same; and the 

 establishment of relations with other scientific institu- 

 tions. To encourage and promote special investigation 

 in any branch of science, the formation of special sections 

 under the charter is provided for. 



