INTRODUCTORY. 



Owing to the sudden death of Secretary Cook, just at the close 

 of the year, preparation of a report of the work of the society 

 during 1899 seemed necessarily to devolve upon the President, 

 who was, perhaps, most conversant with that work. Naturally, 

 however, many points that would have been included by the 

 Secretary may be omitted in the hasty preparation of the sub- 

 joined notes. 



Special mention should be made of the care with which Secre- 

 tary Cook preserved the records, and of the efficient services of 

 his daughter. Miss Eva Cook, in getting together necessary data. 



