210 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 



the United States of which he says : " Although greatly neglected, this fam- 

 ily is one of great interest, as it occupies an intermediate position between 

 the eight legged Arachnidae (spiders or scorpions), and the true six-leg- 

 ged insects/' These studies require not only a habit of acciirate obser- 

 vation, but also patience and perseverance. The Academy may con- 

 gratulate itself that it has members who are determined to push out 

 original investigations in Biology, and with better facilities for work 

 much more will be done. This section is open for the reception of orig- 

 inal papers on all animals, from the parasitic insect to the lordly being 

 upon which it regales itself. 



The report of the Corresponding Secretary shows that nearly the w^hole 

 scientific world, extending from California via Australia, to Russia, Ger- 

 many, France and England, is communication with us. The correspon- 

 dence is voluminous, and the publications received as donations are many 

 and exceedingly valuable. Contributions have been made by individ- 

 uals in nearly all the States of the Union, and from all the principal sci- 

 entific societies and institutions of the United States and of foreign 

 countries. In this connection I wall direct your attention to the valua- 

 ble report of the Curator, which shows the exceeding gain of the past 

 year. In view of the constant increase of the valuable contents of the 

 museum, every person will see that the new building was a necessity, 

 and had we turned back from the enterprise when once begun, we should 

 have been recreant to the duty of the hour, and unfaithful to the trust 

 we had accepted. 



During the year 1B77 two regular and three corresponding members of 

 the Academy have died : 



Mrs. Wm. Renioick^s sudden sickness and death cast a shadow over a 

 large circle of friends, who mourn her loss as the good and the true are 

 ever mourned. 



Mr. U. N. Boberts, a citizen respected and honored for his many servi- 

 ces to the community, was a faithful member and a generous friend of 

 reform. 



J(xred Potter Kirtland, M. D. LL, D., died at his residence in East 

 Rockport, Ohio, December 10, 1877, at the advanced age of 84 years. In 

 scientific research and study he devoted himself especially to general 

 natural history and geology. Dr. Kirkland was elected an honorary 

 member of this Academy, Jan. 3d, 1876. 



Timotky Abbott Conrad died on the 9th of August, at the residence of 

 his brother-in-law, W. T. Abbott, of Trenton, X. J. He was a son of 

 the late Solomon Conrad, of the University of Pennsylvania, and was 

 born in 1803. He was one of the most distinguished of American 

 paleontologists, and was elected a corresponding member of the Acad- 

 emy, March 27th, 1877. 



Sanborn Tenney, Professor of Geology and Natural History in Wil- 

 liams College, Williamstown, Mass., died suddenly on the ilth of July, 

 at Buchanan, Michigan, while on his way to Chicago, to join a Williams 

 College exploring party to the Rocky Mountains, of which he was the 



