SYNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS. I (J() 



Academy, and not enough given to scientific study and discussion. 

 This fault should be corrected, and provision made to give interest to 

 the meetings, and make them a means of scientific study. One step in 

 this direction (and one which has been before suggested), is to provide 

 for the discussion, at each meeting, of some topic of scientific interest, 

 and in this way stimulate thought and research, and make the Academy 

 what it is intended to be — an educational institution. The Curator's 

 report shows a steady growth in all departments of the Museum, though 

 not so great as during many other years. It is to be regretted that we 

 lack shelf space to properly exhibit much valuable material which is 

 now packed away, and as the present cases are now filled to their 

 utmost capacity, and almost all case room utilized, there seems to be 

 no way out of the difficulty excepting to erect the proposed front of 

 the Academy building, and it is to be hoped means may be provided 

 at an early date to provide a fund for this purpose. 



The Publication Committee has performed much labor in the past 

 year, and has now in preparation and in hand some of the most 

 important and valuable work ever attempted in this department of the 

 Academy, for the particulars of which you are referred to its report. The 

 importance of our publications demands that it should be continued so far 

 as means can be provided, and that its compilation embrace papers only 

 of scientific value, with such matters of Academy details and business 

 proceedings as are absolutely necessary. As our publications go into 

 all civilized countries, and have done so much to inform the world of 

 our work, and thus add to the Academy's reputation and to its wealth 

 through exchanges and acquaintance, they should be placed on a high 

 scientific and literary basis, and be ably and carefully edited. Through 

 the instrumentality of our publications has the library been largely 

 added to, as shown by the Librarian's report. The demand for more 

 library room, binding of serials and pamphlets, and a complete catalogue 

 is very pressing and should be provided for as early as possible — par- 

 ticularly the catalogue, on which depends, to a great extent, the value 

 of the library. 



The report of the Treasurer makes a most gratifying showing; the 

 receipts of the year being sufficient to pay all expenses, and, with the 

 dues yet unpaid and collectible, sufficient to cancel the indebtedness 

 carried over from 1883. The Treasurer's books show a large sum due 

 the Academy, but uncollectible, and the same should be charged to 

 profit and loss, and the members delinquent in their dues stricken from 

 the roll of membership. The financial showing is very encouraging 

 when it is remembered there have been no extraordinary receipts 

 during the year, excepting about $250 received from the lecture course 

 of last winter, which was the only appeal made to the public. 



The Endowment Fund of the Academy is now about $1,000, and 

 will shortly be increased $250, by the bequest of the late Robert Mc- 

 intosh. I heartily concur in the resolution adopted at the last annual 

 meeting, declaring it to be the desire of the Academy that all endow- 

 ments should be held inviolate, and only the interest used. The future 

 prosperity of the Academy will, to a great extent, depend upon endow- 



