THE NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS AT BERLIN. 



Prepared by Prof. Albert Guttstadt, M. D.^ 



Translated and rondenscd by Gj^.orgk H. Boehmek. 



I. -THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 

 (Phy.s ieo ■ Math cm atiea I Class. ) 



The Royal Academy of Sciences was established in 1701 by King 

 Frederick I, npon the solicitation of Leibnitz and received the name 

 '/Royal Society of Sciences;" the word Academy was siibstitnted in 

 1744 on occasion of the reorganization of the societj^ under Fredericlc 

 the Great. The statutes, approved by royal decree of March 28, 1881, 

 explain the object and composition of the society as follows : 



The Academy of Sciences is asociety of scientists whose object it is to 

 promote science without being required to adhere to any plan of instruc- 

 tion. It comprises four classes of members, but in a more limited sense 

 it is formed by the whole body of regular members, who, under tiie 

 direction of the secretaries attend to the aff^iirs of the entire academy. 



The Academy possesses the riglits of a privileged corporation, has its 

 own seal, owns its premises, has its own funds and areguhir, guaranteetl 

 income which it dispenses according to the adopted rules. 



For the conduct of some of its affairs the Academy has formed two 

 sections: the physico-mathematical and the philosophical-historical 

 class. (Formerly four classes existed, but since 1830 they became 

 united into two.) 



Each section manages its own affairs. No difference of importance 

 exists as regards the two sections. 



The membership is formed of: (1) regular members, (2) foreign mem- 

 bers, (3) honorary members, (4) corresponding members. The honorary 

 members are not assigned to any special sections; all other members 

 are assigned to the respective sections and can belong only to that 

 section. 



The seniority of ordinary and foreign members is regulated by the 

 time of their election. 



* " Die naiurwissenschaftlichennndmedieininchen StaaUanstaUcn Berlins," compiled as 

 a memorial volume of the fifty-ninth meeting of the Association of German Natural- 

 ists and Physicians, by authority of Dr. von Gossler, minister of worship, education, 



and medical aUairs. Jierlin, 188G. 



89 



