86 MINUTES. [May H 



Dr. Hays moved the following preambles and resolutions 

 which were unanimously adopted : 



Whereas, The American Philosophical Society is and always has 

 been a Society of national scope, whose place of meeting was 

 originally fixed at Philadelphia for reasons of convenience now less 

 potent than formerly; and 



Whereas, The growth and wide extent of our country and the 

 multiplication of local societies tends to keep from our regular 

 meetings those members who do not reside within a short distance 

 of Philadelphia; and 



Whereas, It is desirable that measures be taken to bring the dis- 

 tant members into more active participation in the work of the 

 Society; therefore, be it 



Resolved, i. That a committee of five be appointed by the 

 President to consider the advisability and, if deemed advisable, to 

 arrange for a general meeting at a time most convenient to all the 

 members; 



2. That this meeting shall cover one or more days as may be 

 considered advisable, and it is hoped that the high scientific char- 

 acter and broad interest of the papers to be presented shall insure 

 the fair attendance of a good proportion of distant members; 



3. That this Committee shall have power to add to its number 

 and to make all necessary arrangements to further the success of 

 the proposed general meeting. 



The meeting was adjourned by the presiding officer. 



