10 



plants; by studying the properties of plants injurious or fatal to man or beast, as 

 the stagger-weed. 



2. It strives to increase the happiness, safety and productive capacity of 

 society by investigating food adulteration, drainage, water supply, sanitary ques- 

 tions; by investigating the effects of mineral and vegetable poisons upon man and 

 animals; by studying the diseases of animai>; by investigating general econom- 

 ical and social problems. 



o. It studies the question of the protection of forms of life beneliciai to man, 

 such as forests, native birds, game and tishes. 



In general, we may remark, the reputation of a State is a matter of pecuniary 

 as well as sentimental importance. While it is true that the work of the Academy 

 is widely known and its worth acknowledged, while the same is true for other edu- 

 cational forces in the State, yet when all is said, we must confess that we occupy 

 too low a position in the estimation of the scientific world, lower we believe, than 

 our merit as a State deserves. On the other hand, if the State Legislature should 

 cordially recognize the work being done, should encourage investigation along all 

 lines by the method here suggested, as it can at so slight an expense, that act alone 

 of enlightened and far-seeing policy would greatly improve our reputation ; it 

 would tend to give tone and character to the State; it would make the strong 

 workers within its borders more patriotic; they would not be so ready when oppor- 

 tunity ofTers to change their residence to some more appreciative community: it 

 would do much to attract from without first-class ability to assist in making Indi- 

 ana in every respect what her fertility and natural resources intended she should 

 be — a leader among the States of the Union. 



New York, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas and 

 the National Government, together with the foremost foreign States and nations, 

 are more or less committed to the policy advocated. Its results in Indiana can 

 not be difierent from those achieved elsewhere. Its adoption can only inure to 

 the great and lasting benefit of Indiana and all her people. 



The amount annually needed to publish in a proper manner, illustrate and 

 distribute the proceedings of the Society will not exceed S"2,000. The Academy, 

 does not ask a direct appropriation of money, but an annual publication of its 

 proceedings. 



As shown by its constitution, the objects of the .Academy ''shall be scientific 

 research and the diffusion of knowledge concerning the various. departments of 

 science." 



