4 JOURNAL OF THE 



and of stimulating the members to take an active part in presenting 

 papers on technical subjects and the discussions they call forth. 



The character and amount of work done during the year can best 

 be estimated by the Journal and reference to the Secretary's report. 

 It is a pleasure to note, and it may not be out of place, the recog- 

 nition by some of our Southern States of the material assistance 

 science may afford when properly directed. As examples of this, 

 we would refer to the well equipped and ably conducted Experiment 

 Station of this State, and a similar institution in South Carolina, 

 each of which is doing valuable work in the interest of their respect- 

 ive States and science. We trust this is but a beginning of a revival 

 of science in the South, and we wish to put our shoulder to the 

 work and help it bravely on. 



The success which attended the issue of the Journal for the year 

 1883-84 was very flattering. If it were appropriate, the compli- 

 ments of the various journals and newspapers of the country might 

 be cited. 



Some of the papers have been republished in the Journal of the 

 American Chemical Society, and in the London Chemical News. 

 Some have been mentioned in the Smithsonian Report on the Year's 

 Progress in Chemistry. One of the papers has also appeared in the 

 North Carolina Medical Journal. These form most pleasing evi- 

 dences of the value set upon our work, and it is just such recogni- 

 tion that we are trying to win. 



These encouragements to our efforts should act as a stimulus to 

 more earnest effort, that the expectations and hopes of friends may 

 be realized. 



The object of the Journal is now well known, though we regret 

 that but few members of the Society, who do not have the privilege 

 of attending the meetings, make use of the Journal as a means of 

 recording original work and observations, and as a vehicle of com- 

 municating their results to others. 



It is hoped that our members will recognize and appreciate the 

 advantages the existence of the Journal offers, and avail themselves 

 of the opportunity and encouragement it supplies. 



Follo.wing the precedent of the previous number of the Journal, 

 and in fulfilment of a partial promise, the present number contains 

 the portrait and a sketch of the life of Dr. Curtis. It is hoped in 

 the third number of our Journal to present a similar biography of 

 Dr. L. D. von Schweinitz. 



