SYNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS. 235 



ence, and uniting and aiding the efforts of all persons among us who 

 are at all inclined to scientific pursuits, and so contributing as much as 

 possible to "the increase and diffusion of scientific knowledge" at home. 

 Respectfully submitted. 



W. H. Pratt, Curator. 



LIBRARIAN'S REPORT. 



Mr. President and Members of the Academy: 



I have the honor to report that during the year which has just 

 closed 1,780 additions have been made to the library of the Acad- 

 emy, not including files of city dailies donated by their publishers. 

 These additions were by donation or exchange, and represent the 

 reports of the various scientific societies of the world, files of the va- 

 rious scientific journals and periodicals, and a miscellaneous collection 

 of books and pamphlets on almost every subject connected with the 

 natural sciences. The total number of volumes in the library is now 

 9,239, in addition to which about 900 volumes are deposited in the 

 Academy by members. 



With this number of books in our possession, it would seem scarcely 

 necessary to call attention to the fact that additional shelf-room is very 

 much needed. The value of the library would be greatly enhanced, 

 and it would be much more available for reference, if some binding 

 could be done. As a matter of preservation, too, this is important, as 

 some of the most valuable additions to the library are unbound. Of 

 still greater importance is the preparation of a catalogue. The Acad- 

 emy would be of much greater use to the community if the varied and 

 interesting nature of its library could be more generally known, and it 

 could be rendered more available for study. 



Some action in each of these directions is urgently demanded, and 

 each year renders the work more onerous. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



Jennie McCowen, M.D., Librarian. 



CORRESPONDING SECRETARY'S REPORT. 

 [The Corresponding Secretary made a verbal report.] 



RECORDING SECRETARY'S REPORT. 

 To THE Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences: 



The Recording Secretary begs leave to report : 



Meetin^^s. — The meetings held during the year 1883 have been as 

 follows: Annual meeting, January 3d; regular meetings of the Acad- 

 emy, 11; adjourned meetings of the Academy, 2; special meetings of 

 the i\cademy, i ; citizens' meeting to raise funds to pay the debts of 

 the Academy, April 24th; average attendance of the meetings, 12 

 members and 4 visitors. 



