270 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURA1 SCIENi 



emy may be hereafter, as heretofore, hindered by lack of funds, and 

 thus restrained may even bide its time until some philanthropist enables 

 it to occupy a yet higher plane of usefulness. But we need, and must 

 have, diligent workers, investigators, delving in the fruitful fields of sci- 

 entific research, and seeking to know more of nature and of nature's 

 laws. We may be glad that there is established in our midst two vigor- 

 ous chapters of the Agassiz Association, comprising a goodly number 

 of boys and girls ardently interested in and studying the various 

 branches of natural science. This is a body of noble youth bending 

 the young intellect into the pleasant and important paths of scientific 

 inquiry, and whose very purpose is to us a halo of promise, gilding the 

 Academy's future sky with a radiance of hope. 



A very full condensed account of the year's transactions appears in 

 detail in the several reports which have been read in your hearing, but 

 some matters in connection therewith may claim especial attention. 



The printing of Volume V. having been resumed and sixty-four pages 

 issued from the press, it is highly desirable that the work be pushed for- 

 ward, especially as there is already in hand sufficient material to com- 

 plete the first part. To do this, we must largely rely upon the support 

 of our own members, less than twenty of whom have as yet subscribed 

 for copies. If each member would order one copy — certainly not a 

 heavy burden — the completion of the book would be assured. The 

 volume, in addition to proceedings and scientific papers, will be adorned 

 with an excellent portrait and biographical sketch of our lamented fel- 

 low-member, Prof. D. S. Sheldon, the honored first President of the 

 Academy, the expense of the plate being met by his former pupils and 

 friends. Prof. W. J. McGee, of the United States Geological Survey, 

 has kindly offered to prepare a complete index when the volume is 

 ready, a work involving no inconsiderable amount of labor and skill. 



The collections in the museum show large additions during the year, 

 and the classification and arrangement of these accumulations, while 

 giving much and very proper employment to our excellent Curator, has 

 taxed his ingenuity as well, because of the insufficient accommodations 

 and already crowded condition of the cases. The constant necessity 

 for increase of room and greater facilities in the museum department, 

 which has obtained and burdened the Academy for several years at 

 least, seems to "grow with its growth," and current wants are scarcely, 

 if at all, supplied till others appear. Nevertheless, the condition refer- 

 red to is by no means cause for complaint. Such increase in either of 

 its departments is, as a result, a legitimate part of the Academy's suc- 

 cessful work, and the provision of a suitable depository for every speci- 

 men received is not only a necessity, but an imperative duty, which 

 must be bravely met. The excellent suggestion of the Curator, viz. : 

 the construction of four additional cases uniform with those now in 

 place in the west basement room, to complete the alcove arrangement 

 already begun, and thus render that commodious apartment wholly 

 available for museum purposes, is worthy of adoption as affording much 

 needed relief and of proper effort to provide the means for its execution. 



The Librarian's report is encouraging as exhibiting no diminution in 



