208 DAYEXPOET ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 



greatlj' on the series of historical papers which have already been pre- 

 sented and are yet to come. 



The tenth anniversary of the founding of the Academy — December 

 14, 1877— was very appropriately commemorated by a paper from the 

 Curator, \V. H. Pratt, entitled, " Reminiscences of the Early History of 

 the Academy." 



It appears that the inspiring motive which led to the founding of this 

 Academy, was the " Acquirement and dissemination of scientific 

 knowledge, to encourage research and scientific instruction in the public 

 schools." A majority of the gentlemen who first united their efforts in 

 this laudable enterprise, still are with us, but some have fallen asleep. 

 When they began they had no other purpose than to work for their cause, 

 unconscious of the rich treasures even at their doors, but hidden from 

 their view. They wanted a scientific club in which they could compare 

 their observations, inteichange views, and unite their collections, so that 

 a museum might possibly be developed. Of the first members, one has 

 certainly become distinguished in his department, and we would send 

 greetings to-night to Dr. C. C. Parry on the plains of Mexico. Like all 

 such enterprises, its inception was due to a few hopeful and enthu- 

 siastic persons. 



The Treasurer's report for the year 1877 .shows commendable results. 

 The increase to the general fund has been 8875.41. The expenditure has 

 been S860.73. The endowment fund has been increased by life member- 

 ships and donations, to the amount of §2,703.50, and by others means 

 S227.33, making in all about 83,000, with other sums conditionally sub- 

 scribed for the building enterprise. 



The contract for the new building was 84,080, but other expenses will 

 make the whole cost 84,500. Circumstances over which the Trustees 

 had no control have prevented the raising of the whole amount of 

 money needed, and the Trustees have been obliged to resort to a tem- 

 porary loan, hoping that the new interest in the work of the Academy 

 will bring the needed aid, and trusting that the temporary debt will not 

 be a permanent embarrassment. 



Special attention is called to the report of the Publication Committee. 

 The welcome given to the first volume encouraged the committee to go 

 forward vvith the second, which was to be issued in two parts. A propo- 

 sition was accepted from Mr. J. D. Putnam, in which the Academy was 

 to have 500 copies free of expense, provided that 150 copies were taken 

 by members of the Academy and other persons at S3 a copy. To hasten 

 the beginning of the work, the Trustees guaranteed a subscription for 

 100 copies. Thus the work began, and the first part was produced in 

 good type of 148 pages, illustrated by fifteen woodcuts and three alber- 

 type plates of the inscribed tablets. The erection of the new building 

 has delayed the work of publication, but I earnestly recommend that the 

 second part of the volume be printed as soon as possible, as the best 

 means to bring before this community the work of the Academy. Bear 

 in mind that the publication of the first volume has brought the Acad- 

 emy into correspondence with over 300 similar associations in different 



