PREFACE 



MANY of the members of the National Academy of 

 Sciences, especially those elected in recent years, have 

 frequently expressed the wish to become acquainted 

 with its early history, particularly that of the formative period of 

 the organization, and also with the work it has done in behalf of 

 the Government. As the information on these subjects which can 

 be gathered from the early publications of the Academy is neither 

 in connected form nor very extensive, it was decided in 1909 to 

 have prepared for publication, in connection with the semi-cen- 

 tennial celebration of the Academy, a volume containing as com- 

 plete an historical summary as could be brought together in the 

 time available. A committee was appointed to take charge of the 

 matter, and in the summer of 1910 the services of Dr. Frederick 

 W. True were secured as editor. 



Besides consulting the early records of the Academy, it was 

 necessary to seek information from outside sources. The work of 

 preparing this history, which has been arduous, is highly appreci- 

 ated by the members of the committee in charge, who have 

 realized the varied and baffling nature of the undertaking and 

 desire to express their approval of its accomplishment. It is be- 

 lieved that the information assembled in this volume will afford 

 a good insight into the nature of the activities of the Academy. 

 The bibliographical references which it contains will enable 

 those who desire more detailed knowledge to find it in the original 

 documents. 



As the Academy has established a series of publications known 

 as the Biographical Memoirs, containing records of the lives and 

 works of its members, it has not been thought necessary to attempt 

 the preparation of new biographical sketches, but the volume con- 

 tains brief notices of the lives of the incorporators, or original 



