the Academy. Many letters of congratulation from distant friends were read. 

 The marked increase of the library since the distribution of the Proceedings <s 

 very gratifying. It now contains over 28,000 volumes, which are housed in the 

 fire-proof building of the Academy. 



The Synopsis of Proceedings — in which will be found, page 248, a revision 

 of the Constitution and By-Laws, as adopted March 25, 1887 — is brought down 

 in this volume from 1885 to 18S8, inclusive. A completed index of the five 

 volumes thus far published is appended, for the preparation of which the 

 Academy is indebted to Prof. W. J. McGee, of the United States Geological 

 Survey, and his able assistant, Mr. Van Doren. The portrait of the late Prof. 

 D. S. Sheldon, LL. D., as frontispiece of Volume V., was the gift of his former 

 pupils of Griswold College, through the efforts of Mr. George F. Henry, of 

 Des Moines. 



It is the purpose of the Academy to publish hereafter in brochure form all 

 papers accepted, as soon as possible after presentation. In pursuance of this 

 plan, the following have already been issued as part of Volume VI.: 



1. Bibliography of Iowa Antiquities, by Frederick Starr, Ph.D., of Chicago 



University. 



2. Ancient Grooved Rocks in Arkansas, by W. A. Chapman. 



3. Buddhism in America, by Edward L. Berthoud, of Golden, Colorado. 

 Among other papers promised are one by Prof. Calvin, of the State Univer- 

 sity, and one by Prof. Barris on the local geology of Davenport. 



The portraits of Dr. C. C. Parry and C. E. Putnam will also be contained 

 in Volume VI., with biographical sketches. 



