64 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



of their new and very convenient edifice for the purpose, the meeting 

 was held therein on the 14th-18th of April, 1879, the accommodations 

 being entirely satisfactory. A similar favor will probably be asked of 

 the church for 1880 ; but it is thought that with the completion of the 

 new National Museum building a suitable room can be furnished in it 

 by 1881, so that the academy will again have its headquarters under 

 the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Anthropological Society of Washington. — An Anthropological Society 

 has lately been organized in the District of Columbia for the purpose of 

 bringing together those especially interested in the study of man, and 

 the use of a room in the Institution was cheerfully accorded, on its appli- 

 cation. Here meetings are regularly held every other week throughout 

 the year, and the large and increasing attendance shows the appreciation 

 of the subject in Washington. No similar American society appears to 

 be in a more flourishing condition or more earnest in its investigations. 



Lectures. — The Eegents' room was also accorded to Prof. C. S. Hastings, 

 of the Johns Hopkins University, for a special course of lectures on 

 astronomical physics. This was attended by the gentlemen connected 

 with the Observatory, Nautical Almanac, Coast Survey, and other scien- 

 tific establishments in the city. 



LOSS OF EMPLOYES AND COLLABORATORS. 



It is proper to mention the sudden death, by apoplexy, of Mr. Tobias 

 N. Woltz, on the 9th day of March. He had been connected with the 

 Institution, as master mechanic and superintendent of the building 

 for twenty-two years ; was always diligent, industrious, and faithful, 

 and, as he left nothing to his family, I would recommend that, on 

 account of his long and useful services to the Institution, an allowance 

 be made for his funeral expenses. 



The report for 1877 contained a notice of the death of Mr. Fielding 

 B. Meek, a gentleman who, although not salaried by the Institution, 

 made the building his home for many years, while engaged in his spe- 

 cialty, as a paleontologist, with the government surveys. Mr. Meek died 

 intestate, and letters of administration were granted to Professor Henry 

 upon his property. Diligent search was made in various directions for 

 several years for heirs, but without success. Lately, however, a distani 

 relative has appeared to claim the estate, and the matter is now before 

 the courts. 



The library and notes of Mr. Meek were purchased by the Institution 

 to secure them for the use of paleontological students. 



Among the collaborators of the Institution whose death has occurred 

 during the past year is Dr. James Aitken Meigs, of Philadelphia. He 

 was born in Philadelphia on the 31st of July, 1829, received his ednca- 



