SYNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS. 



3^3 



and more, has grown ; and further, has secured recognition even in 

 foreign countries as one of the American Academies worthy of a place 

 among scientific institutions. 



Of the material prosperity with which Davenport is being blest, so 

 much is due directly to the results of scientific study, experiment 

 and research, that it is inconceivable that any institution whose chief 

 aim is scientific study and the dissemination of scientific knowledge, 

 should not be adequately sustained. The exact knowledge which is 

 sought in scientific pursuits is the sure ground of prosperity, and com- 

 paring to-day with fifty years ago and realizing that the almost incon- 

 ceivable advances which have been made all along the line are chiefly 

 the result of applied science, we can but expect that the Academy, too, 

 will share in the general forward movement inaugurated in our city. 



EXTRACTS FROM ANNIVERSARY LETTERS. 



Prof. E. L. Berthoud of Golden, Col., a member of the New York 

 Lyceum and of the Philadelphia Academy of Science, wrote: 



Assure the members of the Academy to whom I owe the honor of 

 being a member, that I warmly appreciate the honor conferred and look 

 forward with pleasurable anticipation to the time when 1 may be per- 

 mitted to attend a society meeting. I am preparing for a winter's trip 

 south to Mexico, and anything I may see that is archsologically inter- 

 esting will be duly imparted to the Davenport Academy. . 



Prof. T. S. Parvin of Cedar Rapids: 



You know the deep interest I feel in the welfare of the Davenport 

 Academy, and I trust that your anniversary occasion may serve to 

 interest some of your wealthier citizens who may lend a helping hand 

 and so contribute to its further usefulness. 



Edward K. Putnam, Detroit, Mich.: 



I wish I could be there to help celebrate the silver anniversary of 

 the Academy. I really miss the Academy here. The Chicago Acad- 

 emy, as you may know, has received a gift of $75,000. Davenport's 

 turn will come some day. 



Robert H. Lamborn, New York City : 



I hear from time to time of the good work you are doing and am 

 thereby impressed with the great importance of local academies like 

 yours. I have recently been instrumental in starting one at Grand 

 Junction, Colorado, which is already doing valuable work. 



W. C. Brewster, New York : 



I do not know of anything that would afford me more pleasure than 

 an opportunity to meet my old friends on an occasion like the silver 

 anniversary of the Academy of Natural Sciences. 



