226 GENEVA SOCIETY OF PHYSICS AND NATURAL HISTORY. 



Two days after the death of Joseph de Notaris, our society sustained 

 the loss of Jean Christian Poggendorff, added to the number of her hon- 

 orary members in 1874, as an expression of her sympathy with this 

 illustrious savan, on the occasion of a, fete celebrated in commemoration 

 of the fiftieth year of the publication of the annals bearing his name. 



Born on the 29tli of December, 1796, deceased at Berlin on the 24th 

 of January, 1877, this learned physicist labored unceasingly from 1821 

 until the time of his death, which came to him after a short illness. 



During his laborious youth, his uncommon energy led him into a path in 

 which his active perseverance, his just and clear understanding secured 

 the esteem and respect of all savans. In 1820, he was matriculated at the 

 University of Berlin ; in 1834, received the degree of doctor of philos- 

 oi)hy J was nominated professor at the same university ; and in 1839, was 

 made a member of the Academy of Sciences of Berlin. Still a young 

 man, he studied chemistry, and soon devoted himself to physical research, 

 especially in the line of electricity. 



In 1824, he commenced the ^^Annales de Chimie ct de Fhijsique " (An- 

 nals of Chemistry and Physics), which succeeded the Annales of Gil- 

 bert. The 106 volumes which have appeared in the course of fifty-three 

 years contain many of his own works, as well as additions, criticisms, 

 and elaborations of the memoirs of other scientists. This important 

 publication did not prevent him from engaging with Liebig in the forma- 

 tion of a dictionary of chemistry, while at the same time he was giving 

 to the world various biographical sketches and a biographical dictionary. 



The death of Poggendorf is a great loss to science. He not only con- 

 tributed to its advance by his original investigations, but rendered easier 

 for others the researches to be made in physical science, still a maze of 

 confusion which every day renders it more necessary to reduce to order. 



II. — THE SOCIETY. 



Our society has added this year to its regular members Dr. Pierre 

 Dunant, M. Schifif, Dr. Julliard, and M. Zahn, all four professors of the 

 university. These elections carry the number of regular members up to 

 fifty, the limit according to rule of admission, so that at present our 

 society is full. 



From the ranks of the free associates we have had the misfortune to 

 lose Messrs. Charles Eyuard and Prevost-Martiu ; we have, however, 

 added to them Charles Golaz, William Favre, Charles Kigaud, Emile 

 Pictet, Domaine Roux, and Ernest Covelle. 



Professor Wartmann was elected president for the year 1877-'78, and 

 Messrs. Marignac, Edward Sarasin, and Philippe Piantamour were con- 

 tinued in their offices of secretaries and treasurer, and received the thanks 

 of the society for the manner in which they had fulfilled their trust. 



You have, gentlemen, taken an important step, it may be well to men- 

 tion here. In view of the constant increase in the number of ordinary 

 members and free associates, and the consequent insufficiency in the 



