JOUEI^AL 



OF THE 



Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society 



REPORT OF THE RESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT 

 FOR THE YEAR 1885-86. 



J. W. GORE. 



A brief review of the work of the Mitchell Society, for the year 

 1885-'86, will, it is hoped, give fresh encouragement to those who 

 have taken an active part in its upbuilding, and help to gain the con- 

 fidence and support of all interested in scientific work in our State; 

 and also of others who may be willing to lend us a helping hand. 

 But, if the Society has not advanced as rapidly as some may have 

 expected, then this review may serve as a stimulus to greater en- 

 deavor during the coming year, urging them to help make of the 

 Society the agent in the progress of science that we hope and expect 

 it to become. 



Regular monthly meetings have been held for hearing papers and 

 discussing scientific questions of interest. 



These meetings were limited to members and invited guests as last 

 ■year, and were always attended with interest and profit. While the 

 attendance was usually good, yet the interest taken in the meetings 

 by the students of the University has not been as great as we had 

 hoped. It is a rare opportunity for them to begin taking an active 

 part in such work as the Society encourages. While learning what 

 others have done, it is of great importance to practice their method 

 and acquire the habit of independent investigation. Scientific work- 

 ers are essential to the development of the wealth of the State, and 



