ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY 69 



again for consideration in 1885, when it was proposed to divide 

 the membership into four sections, but this proposition was re- 

 jected."" Notwithstanding this decision, the subject was brought 

 forward anew and, as already mentioned, was referred to a 

 committee which, in 1890, reported in favor of the re-adoption 

 of a classification of the membership, on the ground that it 

 would bring into closer relationships members pursuing the 

 same branches of science, would afford better facilities for 

 the discussion of special technical subjects, and would provide 

 a number of groups of experts to whom subjects of inquiry could 

 be referred by the Academy. As to the method of classification, 

 the committee remarked as follows : 



" As regards the method of classification, the task of fixing upon this is far more 

 difficult now than it was when the National Academy was founded, nearly thirty 

 years ago. In fact, it appears well nigh impossible to establish one so that it 

 shall be both strictly scientific, according to present ideas, and at the same time 

 practical. Your committee therefore propose a classification closely similar to 

 that originally established, and believe that, however liable to technical criticism, 

 it is essentially such as is least likely to meet with difficulties in its practical 

 working." "' 



This report was referred to the Council, and the subject 

 continued under discussion for nine years longer before a new 

 decision was reached. 



In April, 1892, the Academy adopted a resolution declaring 

 that a reorganization into sections was desirable,"" and in 

 November of the same year a committee on amendments to 

 the constitution reported in favor of the following classification 

 of the membership: 



1. Mathematics, including Astronomy and Geodesy. 



2. Physics. 



3. Engineering, including Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Hydraulic, etc. 



4. Chemistry, including Applied Chemistry. 



5. Geology, including Mineralogy, Paleontology, etc. 



6. Biology. 



7. Anthropology, including Sociology, Economic Science, etc. 



■"Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., vol. i, p. 264. 

 '"Loc. cit.,p. 338. 

 '- Loc. cii., p. 368. 



