SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY II 



SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY, 1900 



To THE Washington Academy of Sciences: 



Gentlevien : In compliance with the By-Laws the secretary has the 

 honor to submit this, the secoftd annual report, which covers the 

 period from January 18, 1899, to January 17, 1900. 



The Academy held during the year eight meetings, of which four 

 were for the transaction of business and four for the presentation of 

 subjects of scientific interest. At two of the latter receptions were 

 given, one to the National Academy of Sciences, the other to the Geo- 

 logical Society of America. 



A carefully prepared plan of publication of the Proceedings of the 

 Academy has been worked out, perfected, adopted and publication 

 begun on the brochure plan. Volume I., for the year 1S99, is nearly 

 completed at the date of this report. The edition was 1,000. In ad- 

 dition a small pamphlet containing a list of the officers and members, 

 with the Act of Incorporation, By-Laws, Rules respecting publication, 

 etc., was printed. The Joint Directory (Red Book) of the Academy 

 and its aflfiliated societies was also published and distributed to members. 



The Board of Managers has held 25 meetings, at which the average 

 attendance was 13. It has given much attention to the matter of 

 securing for the use of the Academy and the affiliated societies a 

 building suitable for their needs. To this end Mr. Henry Phipps of- 

 fered a subscription of $3,000 on condition that three-fourths of the 

 amount needed should be subscribed by reliable parties before July i, 

 1900. 



An effort was also made to extend the influence of the Academy by 

 providing for a class of non-resident members. In May, 1900, the 

 Academy so amended the By-laws as to provide for such a class and 

 empowered the Board to elect thereto persons who by reason of 

 original research or scientific attainment should be deemed eligible. 

 Pursuant to such authority the Board created special committees repre- 

 senting different branches of science and upon their recommendations 

 elected to non-resident membership 20S persons, classified as follows : 

 Anthropology, 13; Astronomy, 14; Botany, 10: Chemistry, 20; 

 Geography, 7; Geology, iS; Mathematics, 14; Medicine, 23; Min- 

 eralogy, 3; Physics, II ; Statistics, 33; Zoology, 43. 



During the year Mrs. Gardiner Greene Hubbard, " in accordance 

 with the well-known desires of her deceased husband to favor the ad- 



