PROCEEDINGS OF THE OHIO ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 289 



aggregation of parts not very closely related. It no longer af- 

 fords, as in the early years of its existence, a great opportunity 

 for that commingling in social and scientific intercourse which 

 counted for so much in both pleasure and profit for its mem- 

 bers. The smaller, specialized national societies take its place in 

 large measure in this respect, but these fail in one most im- 

 portant particular. In them a man mingles with his kind; it is 

 mingling with the other kind that he often most needs. 



Finally, the Ohio Academy, being a state institution, should 

 appeal to all residents of the state who are interested in the ad- 

 vancement of science or the promotion of scientific discovery. 

 The geographic compactness of the state and the network of 

 transportation lines by which it is covered makes it easy for all 

 to attend its meetings, wherever they may be held, while the 

 national societies are usually in session at such distant points 

 that the burden of expense and time makes them impossible for 

 many. 



The academy, therefore should be accepted as a very de- 

 sirable, indeed necessary adjunct to the scientific activities of 

 the state and it is entitled to the loyal support of all residents 

 of the state, especially of those who are actually engaged in scien- 

 tific work. 



Let us now consider its relation to the state under which 

 it enjoys a corporate existence. In answer to the question 

 "What has the state done for the academy?" a single sentence 

 will suffice. A quarter of a century ago the state gave the acad- 

 emy its charter, in payment for which it received the sum of 

 five dollars ; about two years ago when the academy desired to 

 correct a slight and hitherto undetected error in its name as re- 

 corded in the charter the state graciously allowed one word to 

 be stricken out, receiving for the stroke another payment of five 

 dollars. That is all. It is not known that the state has in any 

 other way recognized the existence of the academy. 



In nearly all enlightened countries there is an organized 

 body of scientific men. existing under a charter which gives it 

 at least a quasi-official standing and the scientific knowledge or 

 technical skill of its members is assumed to be at the service of 



