SYNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS. 269 



PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL ADDRESS 

 I!v Charles E. Harrison. 

 Ladies and Gentlemen: 



In surrendering the trust which in generous confidence you assigned 

 me, I shall not be expected to offer any scientific discourse, neither will 

 I undertake any apology for such shortcomings as could have been 

 prevented only by elevating some abler member to this honorable 

 office. The credit of whatever success may seem to have attended the 

 direction of affairs, is due to the officers and members who have will- 

 ingly assisted and advised, and for whose constant support, as well as 

 forbearance, I am sincerely thankful. 



The twentieth year of our existence, just rounded to a close, may be 

 said to have been one of "even tenor," less fruitful, perhaps, of percep- 

 tible results than some preceding ones, but yet, I trust, a year in which 

 we who remain have lost none of our interest in the grand work of 

 seeking after truth for truth's sake — a year in which no retrogressive 

 step has been taken, and which, notwithstanding the full quota of dis- 

 couragements which it has witnessed, leaves us, I dare say, to-night, 

 strong and determined to continue the good work which, springing up 

 from the little seed so opportunely planted just twenty years ago, has 

 continued to flourish and grow, and which, with increased possibilities 

 as well as responsibilities, devolves now upon us as faithful members. 

 To have thus long survived the various vicissitudes which have beset 

 us, while a number of scientific associations in this and adjoining states 

 have been organized and, after a short existence have ceased to be, is 

 of itself an encouraging measure of success; and this result, which, 

 though in no spirit of boasting, we may view with some just pride, is 

 magnified when we consider that, notwithstanding adverse circum- 

 stances — particularly a constant lack of sufficient means to properly 

 prosecute our work — the institution has steadily gained in popularity 

 and strength, and to-day, owning the valuable premises it occupies, is 

 enabled to keep its rooms open to the public, maintains the publication 

 of its proceedings, and is building up in this accessible western city a 

 scientific museum and library which must be, if properly sustained and 

 wisely managed, a factor of much importance in the great scheme of 

 edrcational progress. 



That there is cause for anxiety for the future is true; for, except 

 about $90 interest accruing from the nucleus of an endowment fund, a 

 special annual subscription fund of $425 (limited to five years), and 

 the meager receipts from dues and fees, say $350 — a total of less than 

 $900, or about sufficient to pay running expenses — the Academy is 

 without funds for the purchase of such needed books, periodicals, and 

 monographs as cannot be obtained by exchange and otherwise for the 

 prosecution of its work. And then, as the years come and go, we are 

 being rapidly deprived of our faithful workers and substantial support- 

 ers. New members are recruited from time to time, but these are not 

 numerous; and have they, and have we, that zeal and efficiency which, 

 added to lofty purpose, is essential to continued success? The Acad- 



