51 



other feature needs special meution. Conversation with the various mem- 

 bers has shown that too little is known of the regular spring meetings. 

 Comparatively few attend, but of those who do it is the common testimony 

 that they are both most enjoyable and profitable. May I urge their claim 

 upon your attendance? They are held in a different place each year and 

 are in the nature of field excursions. This plan offers two great advan- 

 tages. It gives occasion for members to visit different parts of the state 

 and in association with others, some of whom are familiar with the terri- 

 tory, to become acquainted with the characteristic features of the locality. 

 Through a series of years opportunity is given to acquire a personal knowl- 

 edge of the more interesting and representative parts of the state which 

 one scarcely would or could attain by individual travel or excursions. 

 Field trips of this sort also afford the very best opportunities for gaining 

 mutual acquaintance and for interchange of ideas and discussion. As one 

 who has rarely missed a spring meeting and then only with regret and liy 

 reason of necessity, let me urge upon all the pleasure and advantages of 

 attendance. That many other demands upon time and attention, especially 

 at that time of the year, are pressing is recognized, but the value of such 

 meetings will well repay the sacrifice of trouble and expense, and it is 

 I hoped that many who have not as yet attended these excursions into 

 the field will in the near future find it possible to take part in them. I 

 have endeavored to outline some ways in which immediate work may be 

 done in the interests of enlarging the usefulness of the Academy. I am 

 convinced that such work should be undertaken and have therefore turned 

 from a more attractive theme as the subject of my address because it 

 seemed to me a proper time and occasion to call attention to the necessity 

 of some changes if we are to maintain and increase our membership and 



J to serve it efficiently and well. With opportunity comes responsibility ; 

 and responsibility well discharged, brings yet larger opportunity. With 

 an increased and united membership we could take an important part in 



j the educational work of our state which, on its scientific side, needs direc- 



I tion and encouragement. 



In closing allow me to propose one definite undertaking which I believe 



I the Academy should give careful consideration. The end to be gained wo 

 would all welcome, and the effort toward its attainment would in itself 

 be of value and incidentally bring other happy results. It seems to me 

 that the Academy of Science is the proper body to urge a movement toward 

 the establishment as part of our educational system of an adequate organi- 





