1881.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 465 



The Committee, appointed Nov. 29tb, to prepare an expression 

 of the Academy's appreciation of Dr. Ruschenberger's services 

 to the society, presented the following report which, together with 

 the resolutions proposed, was unanimously adopted : — 



To the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia : 



Tour Committee, appointed November 29th, 1881, to prepare 

 and report at a future meeting, an expression of the Academj^'s 

 appreciation of the services of Dr. W. S. W. Ruschenberger, who 

 declines a re-election to the office of President, respectfully 

 reports : 



Dr. W. S, W. Ruschenberger was elected a member of the 

 Academy of I^atural Sciences of Philadelphia, May, 1832, and 

 became its President, December, 1869, succeeding Dr. Isaac Hays. 

 He has been re-elected at each succeeding annual election, hence 

 he has occupied this position for an unbroken period of twelve 

 years, which, with one exception, is the longest term of service of 

 any President of the Academy. 



When the project for the erection of a new building was first 

 proposed, Dr. Ruschenberger manifested so much interest therein, 

 that when on the 14th of November, 1865, a committee was 

 appointed, " to devise methods for advancing the prosperity and. 

 efficiency of the Academy hy the erection of a building of a size 

 suitable to contain the collections," he was by unanimous consent 

 chosen its Chairman. He was likewise Chairman of the Committee 

 of Fortv, appointed December 26th, 1865, for the purpose of 

 obtaining the funds necessary for the erection of a new building, . 

 and also was, and still is. Chairman of the Board of Trustees of 

 the Building Fund, organized January 11th, 1867. 



From the inception of the enterprise to its consummation in the 

 occupancy of the new building by the Academy in 18*76, Dr. 

 Ruschenberger constantly gave to it his best energies, and to him. 

 more than to any other man the Academy owes the commodious 

 building which it now occupies. 



There were times when many members of the Committee 

 doubted and even despaired of the completion of their service, 

 but in the darkest hours Dr. Ruschenberger never faltered either 

 in faith or works, but with his quiet persistent force, pushed for- 

 ward the enterprise, and sustained the courage of his associates. 

 His untiring interest in the welfare of the Academy, led him 



