HISTORICAL SKETCH. 



For some years past, there has been more or less dis- 

 cussion in regard to the organization of an Ohio Academy 

 of Science, but no decisive steps were taken. At the an- 

 nual meeting of the Biological Club of the Ohio State 

 University held November 3d, 1891, the writer made a 

 short annual address, as retiring president, in which the 

 following language was used : 



" There is need of one organization toward which our 

 club should direct its combined energy and influence. I 

 refer to a State Academy of Science, If local scientific 

 clubs and societies are beneficial, the reasons that make 

 them so apply with greater force to a State scientific 

 society. Who can estimate the inspiration, the stimulus 

 to original research and investigation which such an or- 

 ganization would provoke ? 



" In a great agricultural State, like Ohio, a deep, abiding 

 and constantly growing interest will ever be taken in the 

 sciences of geology, botany and chemistry, for these con- 

 stitute the very foundation, the rational basis of all prac- 

 tical knowledge regarding soils and the various crops that 

 grow thereon. But our State academy would not be con- 

 fined to these. All branches of biology, as well as phys- 

 ics, anthropology, pharmacy, applied mathematics, soci- 

 ology, etc., everything that contributes to the sum total 

 of scientific knowledge, would find a place. 



"The initiatory steps toward the founding of such an 

 academy should be taken by this club, and to-night. It 

 may be done by the appointment of a committee, who 

 should energetically push the matter by preparing a pro- 

 gram for a meeting and issuing a call to all interested, to 

 assist in the organization. 



" Once organized, I am sure the Ohio academy would 

 be a signal and all-inspiring success, and could scarcely 

 fail to secure an honored position among the scientific 

 organizations of our country." 



