REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 9 



occupation of the building can be assured within eighteen months from 

 the commencement of operations. The vacating of the rooms now oc- 

 cupied by the Geological Survey will also furnish much-needed accom- 

 modation to the Museum; possibly enough until the remainder of the 

 building can be provided f or> The proposed wing, however, will be 

 complete in itself, architecturally, and will not involve any addition 

 for its proper harmonious effect. 



MEETINGS OF SCIENTIFIC BODIES. 



On the 17th of April the annual meeting of the National Academy 

 of Sciences was held in the hall of the National Museum, and, in accord- 

 ance with the authority granted by the Executive Committee, the same 

 room was also used by the American Pharmaceutical Association. The 

 meeting of this body, which lasted several days, was attended by a 

 large number of delegates, who found in the building all the accommo- 

 dations necessary for their purpose. A large floor space was vacated 

 temporarily and filled by the extensive collections brought for exhibition 

 on the occasion, and in many instances the Institution was able to sup- 

 ply empty cases, constituting a great convenience to the exhibitors. 



The collections of materia medica belonging to the Museum were 

 greatly appreciated, and it was resolved that the collections of the 

 National Museum should be considered as under the special patronage 

 of the association, and that all new preparations devised by members 

 of the association should be deposited therein. 



Similar action was taken by the Association of Wholesale Druggists, 

 which met in New York later in the year; so that the collections of the 

 Museum are likely to receive great benefit. 



The " Saturday lectures," under the auspices of the Anthropological 

 and Biological Societies of Washington, were continued during the win- 

 ter of 1882-'83. The following is a list of the lectures delivered : 



On rivers. Capt. Clarence E. Dutton, TJ. S. A. January 13. 



The races of men. Prof. Otis T. Mason. January 20. 



Mountains and mountaineers of the Caucasus. Mr. George Kennan. 

 January 27. 



Mesmerism in animals (with experiments). Dr. D. Webster Prentiss. 

 February 3. 



Mythical animals. Prof. Theodore Gill. February 10. 



Germs and epidemics. Dr. John S. Billings, U. S. A. February 17. 



The plant life of the globe, past and present. Prof. Lester F. Ward. 

 February 24. 



Pearls and pearl fisheries. Mr. William H. Dall. March 3. 



Indian mythology. Maj. J. W. Powell. March 10. 



Adaptation and interdependence between plants and insects. Prof. 

 C. V. Riley. March 17. 



The teachings of paleontology. Prof. C. A. White. March 24. 



