xii MINUTES. 



he began his work ; and Dr. Leicly about that time described it to me 

 as an example of ' how a Society that pretended to demand some 

 measure of distinction from those whom it elected to membership was 

 doomed to sterility and inactivity by that very fact.' Now this has 

 all been changed ; and the annual General Meeting of this Society, 

 which was inaugurated on Dr. Hays's suggestion, is universally re- 

 garded as of great importance. The late Professor Pickering, when 

 Vice-President of the Society, once remarked from this chair that 

 this annual meeting had become, in his opinion, the most important 

 and the most interesting scientific event of the year. 



"All this we owe to Dr. Hays, and it is fitting that the Society 

 should recognize his invaluable services. I will therefore call upon 

 the Secretary to read the Resolution which he has prepared for this 

 occasion." 



Secretary Goodspeed offered the following minute: 



" Whereas we have all known for some time of the intended 

 retirement at this time of our senior Secretary and Librarian, Dr. 

 I. Minis Hays, and 



" Whereas we are all deeply impressed with the inestimable value 

 of his long and faithful service to our honorable Society, we, the 

 members, hereby unite to record our deep appreciation of all Doctor 

 Hays has done to forward the interests of the Society, and our sin- 

 cere regret that he is to be no longer with us in his former official 

 capacity, together with our earnest desire that he may yet for many 

 years remain our willing adviser in the conduct of the affairs of the 

 Society." 



This minute was duly seconded and unanimously adopted. 



The following papers were read: 



"Description of Earth Inductor Compass," by Paul R. Heyl and 



Lyman J. Briggs. (Introduced by the President.) 

 " Symposium on the Age of the Earth," 



" From the Geological Viewpoint," by T. C. Chamberlin, 

 Sc.D., LL.D., Professor of Geology and Director of the 

 Walker Museum, University of Chicago. 



