Record. xxxi 



reports of officers. 



Pkesident's Address. 

 Fellow Members: 



The Academy closes Its fifty-fifth year with a record on which 

 we may exchange congratulations and from which we may learn 

 something. 



Fifteen meetings have been held with an average attendance of 

 36. The papers presented have been of general and varied interest 

 covering the field of astronomy; botany — with analyses of certain 

 phases of evolution, hybridization and variation; chemistry; engineer- 

 ing; geology — including an important study of glaciation, and an 

 analysis of the petroleum supply of the country; mathematics; me- 

 teorology, comparatively treated; physics — along the line of electrical 

 experimentation and the mechanics of aviation; physiology; and 

 zoology — including economic ornithology and the interesting field of 

 mimetic variations. The Entomological Section has held five meet- 

 ings, with an average attendance of 11, in addition to those of the 

 Academy as a whole. 



Though only six in number, the scientific brochures published 

 during the year have been of unusual interest: F. E. Nipher, The 

 Nature of the Electric Discharge; C. H. Thompson, Four New Plants 

 from Mexico; J. A. Drushel, Studies in Glacial Geology in St. Louis 

 and Vicinity; E. A. Engler, Figurate Numbers; Julius Hurter, The 

 Herpetology of Missouri,— an exhaustive monograph; and Philip Rau, 

 Sexual Selection Experiments on the Cecropia Moth, and Further 

 Observations on Copulation and Oviposition in Samia cecropia, Linn* 

 In addition to these papers, which, with the customary membership 

 roster, abstract of proceedings, etc.— soon to be issued— will form the 

 twentieth volume of the Academy's Transactions, a similar fascicle 

 complementary to the nineteenth volume was printed early in the 

 year. 



Death has again claimed a large toll from the Academy's mem- 

 bership: Professors Escherich and Van't Hoff— honorary members; 

 and Judge W. F. Boyle, Dr. N. M. Glatfelter, Dr. Charles H. Gunde- 

 lach, Professor Halsey C. Ives, Dr. W. B. Outten, Mr. E. S. Robert, 

 and Professor Paul Schweitzer,— active members. The Academy 

 closes the year with two less active members than were carried on 

 the list at its beginning; but 425 active members are now enrolled. 

 Your continued interest is necessary if the membership is to be sus- 

 tained at this level— which is essential; energetic effort, if made, will 

 and should increase the membership to 500 in the year now opening. 



In passing to another the responsibilities of an office with which 

 you have honored me for the past three years, I avail myself of this 

 opportunity to thank you collectively and individually for the per- 

 sonal co-operation and aid which alone have brought the Academy 

 to its present satisfactory condition as respect membership, productive 



