50 



ests along with any degree of specialization tliat may be attained. In 

 \iew of this belief may I repeat that the personal interchange of ideas 

 and the comradeship that our meetings afford can do much to nourish and 

 keep alive this wider interest in different fields that all too readily be- 

 comes deadened by the isolation of the individual in his own work. In 

 this service the Academy has a peculiar advantage over associations organ- 

 ized to promote some particular purpose. Its interests are broad, its 

 members are recruited from widely varying fields, and yet all are bound 

 together by their common interest in scientific work. In this respect no 

 other organization has quite so much to offer to its members. The work- 

 ing out of the problem involves grave ditticulties, but I believe there should 

 be some way of putting larger emphasis upon the social side of the meet- 

 ings. If possible the program committee should make some provision 

 for greater opportunity for social intercourse. Short recesses in the regu- 

 lar sessions might be of service. The examination and discussion of 

 exhibits such as previously suggested would be admirable for the purpose 

 and would be not less effective than more elaborately planned occasions 

 which are likely to become more or less formal and thus miss their real 

 object. A greater cordiality on tlie part of the older members toward 

 the younger, especially those who have recently joined the ranks of the 

 Academy, would count for much. We should be of oue large family and 

 not stand too much upon formality. 



In this connection let me remark that the Academy is not living up 

 to its privileges. It should have a much larger membership. Indiana has 

 many scientists engaged in industrial work. I'ure and applied science, if 

 we may use as still tenable that distinction of Huxley's, go hand in hand 

 and we should do well if we could enlist in the service of the Academy 

 man.\ of the workers in the fields of the practical application of science. 

 There should be some systematic effort by the membership committee to 

 seek out these men and to show them the advantages of a connection with 

 the Academy. In this work the committee must have the hearty coopera- 

 tion of every member. It should be possible to enlist in our service the 

 memiiers of the various state departments of science who are doing valiant 

 service in promoting the welfare of the pe<)i>l<' through work in agriculture, 

 entomology, forestry, geology, health, hygiene, and saiiilation. Tlicy would 

 greatly help the Academy and in turn would un(iuesti()ii;ii>ly lie well repaid 

 by the advantages of membei-sliiii. 



In connectidu wilii tbe sncial side of tbe work of flie Academy, one 



