ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY 35 



At the summer session the Committee on Weights and 

 Measures was authorized and directed " to communicate with 

 individuals and corporations representing the various trades 

 throughout the country tendering advice and assistance in any 

 efforts they may be disposed to make in regard to the introduc- 

 tion of the metric weights and measures." 



The summer session this year was held in New Haven, 17 

 members being in attendance. A singular feature of the scien- 

 tific program was that of the 29 papers read, 10 were by Professor 

 Agassiz and related chiefly to fishes. The remaining papers, 

 with two exceptions related to the physical sciences. 



A third number of the Annual of the Academy was published 

 in 1867, after which it was discontinued. 



1868-1872 



Professor Henry continued during 1867 to preside over the 

 meetings of the Academy in the capacity of Vice-President, but 

 in January, 1868, he was elected President, and held that posi- 

 tion for 1 1 years. At the same time, Wm. Chauvenet was elected 

 Vice-President. The resolution to increase the membership 

 was brought up again at this time, but was rejected. The feel- 

 ing appears to have prevailed, however, that a larger attendance 

 was desirable, and action was taken authorizing the President 

 to invite as many persons not belonging to the Academy as he 

 might think proper, while each member was privileged to invite 

 a number not to exceed five. The time of the first session was 

 by resolution changed from January to the second week in April, 

 while that of the second session was changed from summer to 

 fall, usually October or November. This new arrangement of 

 meetings was put into effect in 1869 and has continued in force 

 to the present. 



Not content with passing resolutions regarding the use of 

 the metric system of weights and measures, the Academy in 

 1868 appointed a committee to wait upon the Postmaster-Gen- 

 eral and urge their adoption in the post-offices. It appears from 

 the records that the communication of the committee was 



