12 ILLINOIS AC.\DEMY OF SCIENCE. 



fessor Fred L. Charles, who died May 6, 191 1. A memorial will 

 be presented at this meeting. 



Publications. — Volume IV has been sent to all members in 

 good standing. Believing that a more systematic classification 

 of the matter contained in the Transactions would make the 

 volume more useful to those consulting its pages, the Secretary 

 has, with the consent of the Council, departed somewhat from the 

 beaten path, and the new volume appears in topical form, the 

 business being concentrated in the fore part of the book, and the 

 papers appearing under their respective classifications. 



Calls for the Transactions by libraries, academies and museums 

 continue to come in. as reported by the Secretary a year ago. It 

 is, of course, impossible at present to carry on any system of 

 exchange : first, because our treasury cannot bear the expense of 

 the necessary postage ; and, second, because there is no desig- 

 nated depository for the exchanges. The logical depositary would 

 seem to be the State Museum, as, also, the logical Secretary 

 should be the Curator of the State Museum. 



Enlarging the Field of the Academy. — The Secretary has 

 carried on a vigorous campaign during the past three months in 

 an endeavor to interest the scientific citizens of the State in the 

 Academy. Circular letters to the number of 1,000 have been sent 

 to all high schools, normal schools and other higher institutions 

 of learning, and to many of the teachers of science and mathe- 

 matics in these institutions. It is quite apparent that only by 

 this and similar means can the Academy hope to become promi- 

 nent in the scientific life of the State. If our teachers are con- 

 stantly reminded of the value of being members of this insti- 

 tution, many of them will ultimately take advantage of the oppor- 

 tunity oflfered. To this end, upwards of 10,000 pieces of printed 

 matter have been distributed to teachers, institutions, the news- 

 papers and various individuals in the State who are, or ought to 

 be, interested in the advancement of science. To successfully 

 carry on this missionary w^ork, a sufficient fund must be available 

 to provide for the very large amount of clerical work incident 

 to its accomplishment. 



The Secretary expresses the hope that his successor may be 

 a man of some leisure, who will keep the members in touch with 

 the purposes of the Academy. It is confidently believed that the 

 "slogan," 1,000 members, if kept persistently before the organiza- 

 tion, will ultimately bring the Academy to this high-water mark 

 of membership. 



