JOURNAL 



OF THE 



Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society 



REPORT OF THE RESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT 

 FOR THE YEAR 1884-85. 



J. W. GORE. 



The second year of the Mitchell Society is now completed; and it 

 is gratifying to be able to report a successful year. 



It was feared by some of the friends of the Society that the very 

 commendable interest expressed and maintained during the first 

 year would wane, and the Society languish somewhat, or require 

 greater effort on the part of a few to support it and keep alive the 

 interest in its existence. Hence it was with great solicitude that its 

 progress was watched; and now that another prosperous year has 

 been added to its life, it is with increased confidence that we regard 

 the Society as permanently established, and worthy a more hearty 

 support and co-operation of those interested in, and desirous of, the 

 prosperity of an organization which proposes to use every effort and 

 employ all means for increasing and disseminating a knowledge of 

 science. 



During the year there was a series of four public lectures given 

 under the auspices of the Society by Prof. Winston and Dr. Vena- 

 ble, of the University, Dr. Thos. F. Wood, of Wilmington, and 

 Prof. J. H. Gore, of Washington, D. C. The members of the Uni- 

 versity and citizens of the town attested their appreciation of the 

 opportunity for instruction these lectures afforded by their presence 

 and attention. 



There were also held, during the year, six regular monthly meet- 

 ings for the reading and discussion of papers presented.* These 

 meetings were limited to members and invited guests, and were well 

 attended and very encouraging interest was taken in the exercises. 



This separation of the more popular feature of the work we had 

 allotted ourselves from the more technical or scientific work of the 

 Society, has proven by experience to be a happy solution of the 

 complex problem of interesting the public in the aims of the Society, 



