14 Kansas Academy of Science. 



incorporated in 1799. It has dues of $5 a year and receives an annual 

 appropriation of $1,500 from Yale University. This academy has 

 monthly meetings and its reason for existence is for the purpose of ex- 

 change, library facilities, and publication. Another of the early institu- 

 tions of this kind vi^as the Philadelphia Academy of Science, established 

 in 1817, and endowed, but collecting an annual fee of $10 from its mem- 

 bers. This academy has a museum and library, both very valuable. 



The consideration of state academies shows that they are established 

 under various auspices, although they have a common aim — that of the 

 dissemination of scientific knowledge, the collection of scientific material 

 in a museum, the establishing of a library, and the publication of scien- 

 tific work of the members. Some of these academies are primarily nat- 

 ural history societies, more especially that of Ohio and that of California. 

 Most of the state societies have annual dues of $1, and hold an annual 

 meeting. In the case of some of these the proceedings are published by 

 the state, while in other cases they are either privately published by the 

 academy from its own funds, or from the proceeds of the endovirment of 

 the academy. 



With reference to the Illinois academy it should be said that the scien- 

 tific men of the state, without exception, take an active interest in it. Its 

 officers are chosen from the professors in the University of Chicago, 

 Northwestern University, James Milliken University, University of 

 Illinois, Illinois Wesleyan, the Chicago high schools, and several of the 

 normal schools and colleges. It should be noted that the very best men 

 in the state and those who are leaders in scientific thought in the state, 

 like Professor Forbes of the University of Illinois, Professor Coulter of 

 the University of Chicago, and Professor Crew of Northwestern Uni- 

 versity, are among the officers and workers in this academy. The scien- 

 tific men of Illinois seem to realize that it is worth while to maintain an 

 academy to act as a clearing house for the scientific work of the state. 

 They are willing to do this at the sacrifice of both time and money. The 

 getting together of the scientific men of the state institutions, the col- 

 leges, normal schools, and leading high schools in some college town every 

 year seems to be a success, and these different institutions are working 

 harmoniously together. Although they are covering a large field of 

 scientific investigation, each man is interested in the investigations of 

 his colleagues and is doing everything possible to advance the scientific 

 interests of the state. 



In order to further interest in our Academy, I would recommend: 



(1) A more active canvass for members, until we get practically all 

 our scientific workers enrolled. 



(2) The calling of the annual meeting in the larger college towns, 

 rather than in Topeka. 



(3) That a special effort be made to get the leading scientific men of 

 the state to consider the academy one of their own activities and to help 

 to direct its policy. Respectfully submitted. E. H. S. Bailey. 



