8 



foreign, and bring to their investigations zeal, enthusiasm, skill, patience and 

 common sense. For the results of their work they seek no other reiuuneration 

 than the honor that comes from the willing and loving recognition of their labors 

 by their friends, neighbors and fellow-citizens, to whose highest and best interests 

 their lives are consecrated. These trained experts, who constitute the best au- 

 thority in the State upon their several subjects, will act without compensation 

 with the legislative body of Indiana just as the National Academy acts in con- 

 junction with Congress; will freely advise with the legislators when asked upon 

 scientiiic subjects, and give proper direction to scientific investigations undertaken 

 by the Legislature as a basis for wholesome and logical laws. 



To the work already done the publications of the Academy give but an im- 

 perfect witness. Certain it is that interest in these proceedings, incomplete as 

 they are, has gone out far beyond the confines of our own States and has been ex- 

 tensively awakeneili even in transatlantic countries. The Academy has helped to 

 train some of the foremost scientists of our day. When it expresses an opinion 

 upon a scientific subject it is listened to with respect, even by such distinguished 

 scientists as have been drawn in large numbers to our nation's capital. 



It will be here attempted to set forth the scope and aims of the Indiana 

 Academy in the barest outlines. The outline itself must be imperfect at best, but 

 we hope this synopsis will show how closely it is identified in all of its ramifica- 

 tions with public pi'ogress. Without pretending to exhaust the subject, we will 

 arrange under six heads what we have to say tipon the character of the work un- 

 dertaken by the Academy and the reasons why this work should be fostered by 

 the State to the extent of proper publication and dissemination of its results. 

 The six heads are : Educational Services, Development of Natural Resources, 

 Industrial Assistance, Economical Effects, Contributions to the Reputation of the 

 State and Recognition Accorded to This Kind of W^ork in Other States. 



We may mention six ways in which the work of the Academy strengthens the 

 educational forces of the State : 1. Through its meetings and publications the 

 Academy gives direction and enthusiasm to the study of the sciences throughout 

 Indiana. Scientific instruction is no longer taken up in a half-hearted, perfunc- 

 tory way, but is instinct with life and energy. 2. It transforms teachers into 

 life-long investigators. The best science teachers are those most under its infiu- 

 ence. 3. It fosters and develops workers apart from and outside of the schools. 

 All have observed the tonic effects on a community of a single bright, active 

 mind. With every person thus endowed the Academy joins hands and helps him 

 make a general uplift of his own locality in just such a way as university exten- 

 sion operates. 4. It brings together for conference teachers who are ojiening up 



