113 
Abstract of the Report of the Special Committee on the 
Transit Expedition. 
At the méeting of the Lyceum, held February 38d, 1878, 
the opportunities which the expedition for the observation 
of the transit of Venus would afford, for natural history re- 
searches in the remoter parts of the Southern Hemisphere, 
were discussed, and the undersigned was appointed a Com- 
mittee to conduct correspondence in behalf of the Lyceum, 
with the proper authorities of the Government.* Advice was 
first, sought from Professor Spencer F. Baird, of the Smith- 
sonian Institution, who most cordially responded. 
In accordance with his suggestion, a memorial was drawn 
up by the Committee, and, after approval by the Lyceum, 
forwarded to the Hon. Geo. M. Robeson, Secretary of the 
Navy. 
In furtherance of the important object sought, letters, con- 
taining copies of the memorial, were addressed by the com- 
mittee to the Boston Society of Natural History, the Chicago 
Academy of Science, the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences, 
and the Maryland Academy of Science (Baltimore), request- 
ing their codperation. Most satisfactory action was taken by 
the Philadelphia and Baltimore societies, both of which sent 
letters to the Secretary of the Navy, urging a favorable con- 
sideration of the plan, and informed the Lyceum officially to 
that effect. 
Copies of the memorial and of the letter to the above 
mentioned societies, together with a copy of the reply re- 
ceived from Washington, are hereto annexed.t 
Respectfully submitted, 
D. 5S. MARTIN, 
Special Committee. 
* These Proceedings, page 14. 
+ This action of the Lyceum and other scientific societies, was fol- 
lowed at a later day, by the appointment, as Assistant Surgeon to the 
Expedition, of Dr. J. H. Kidder, a highly-scientific gentleman, with 
ample facilities and instructions for carrying out the objects sought in 
the Memorial. See these Proceedings, meeting of June 1st, 1874. 
