196 DAVEXPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 



election of Hon. John L. Davies. After about six weeks tlie following 

 encouraging notices, which I give verbatim et literatim, appeared in the 

 daily papers, viz : in Gazette, January 2i, 1868 : 



Scientific Society. 



An organization has just been completed which takes the somewhat ambi- 

 tious title of the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences. Its object is the 

 collection and dissemination of scientific knowledge, and we understand that 

 especial attention will be paid by this Society tc the geology of our State. 

 Specimens of the various fauna and flora of the coal formations will be gath- 

 ered into cabinets, which the members will endeavor to make as complete as 

 possible, a beginning of whicli cabinets have been made. Peat will also 

 orcupy a prominent place in their inquiries for informations, and in fact all 

 scientific subjects will claim a share of their attention. We wish the Society 

 prosperity, as well as a long existence. The otticers are: 



President — S. Sheldon, of Griswold College. 



Vice-President — A. U. Barler. 



Secretary— W. H. Pratt. 



Treasurer — L. T. Eads. 



The Library Association has offered the new Society a habitation in its 

 room, we learn. 



In Davenport Democrat, January 2'i, 1868 : 



Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences. 



A Society bearing the above name has been organized in this city for the 

 purpose of disseminating useful knowledge and investigating subjects of a 

 scientific character. The officers of the Society are at present: 



President — Prof. D. S. Sheldon, of Griswold College. 



Vice-President — A. U. Barler. 



Secretary— W. H. Pratt. 



Treasurer — L. T. Eads. 



In addition to these there is a board of ten Trustees. The Society has one 

 large cabinet filled with natural curiosities, and specimens enough to fill 

 another, which is now being constructed. The specimens consist of a large 

 variety of river shells — some seventy-five kinds — mineral productions, geodes, 

 fern fossils, coal blooms, and various other geological curiosities. Also, 

 antiquities and rare articles. The headquarters of the society are now in Mr. 

 L. T. Eads' office, where the cabinet and its contents can be seen. An invita- 

 tion has been extended by its members to share quarters with the Library 

 Association, and it is likely that the invitation will be accepieo, as more 

 room will be needed as soon as the other cabinet is finished. The prin- 

 cipal object of the Society is to make geology a specialty, and to that end the 

 coal and peat beds ot the State are to receive a due share of its attention. The 

 gathering of valuable specimens will be continued, and new cabinets provided 

 as occasion requires. Donations of curiosities, antiquities, books, etc., are 

 respectfully solicited. 



We are glad to notice that a movement of this kind has been inaugurated 

 by our citizens. It is a step taken in the right direction, a move worthy of all 

 commendation, and we sincerely hope that those who have made the begin- 

 ning, will see the project grow to the extent it deserves. Cabinets filled with 

 geological and mineralogical specimens, gathered for the most part in our own 

 State, and open for public Inspection, will incite inquiry and promote research, 

 and tlie cause of science must naturally prosper when its votaries increase in 

 number and intelligence. Success to the Davenport Academy of Natural 

 Sciences. 



As soon as possible one case for specimens was procured— the old 



