32 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



number of papers were on astronomy, followed by zoology, 

 physics and geography. 



The Academy this year for the first time voiced its interest 

 in scientific activities outside its own sphere by passing resolu- 

 tions expressing satisfaction at the action of the Government 

 in authorizing the employment of metric weights and measures, 

 and recommending that the metric system be taught in the 

 public schools, and be made a subject of examination for admis- 

 sion to colleges and universities ; and also " that the Academy 

 considered it highly desirable that the discretionary power 

 granted by Congress to the Postmaster-General to use the 

 metrical weights in the post-offices be exercised at the earliest 

 convenient day." Another resolution was adopted, commending 

 the generosity of Nathaniel Thayer, of Boston, in fitting out an 

 expedition to South America under the conduct of Professor 

 Agassiz. 



The summer meeting was again held at Northampton, Massa- 

 chusetts. Few details regarding it have been recorded, but it 

 was referred to by one who was present as " a brilliant meeting." 



An important event of the year 1866 was the publication of 

 the first volume of the Memoirs of the Academy. It was in 

 quarto form and comprised 342 pages. The volume contained 

 five articles, three on astronomical subjects, one on the distri- 

 bution of certain diseases in the United States and another on 

 rifled guns. It was distributed through the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution to 34 libraries in the United States and 24 in other 

 countries. A second number of the Annual was also published. 



The events of 1867 were numerous and important. At the 

 opening of the year, in February, the Academy lost its first 

 President, Professor Bache. In his report as Vice-President, 

 Professor Henry remarked: " During the past year the Acad- 

 emy has been called upon to mourn the loss of its distinguished 

 president, Alexander Dallas Bache. This eminent savant de- 

 voted his life industriously to the advance of science, and may 

 be said to have fallen a martyr to the cause of his country in the 

 hour of its peril." Bache was one of the principal leaders, if 



