The Academy of Natural Sciences 23 



attending the Centennial Exposition, from whom large additions to 

 the revenues were expected in fees of entrance to the museum. 

 Interest was, however, so concentrated on the exhibition in Fair- 

 mount Park that sightseers had little time for anything else, the 

 additional income was only partially realized, the expenses of admin- 

 istration were greatly increased, and for the next few years the 

 Treasurer annually reported a deficit. 



Mr. Tryon, not entirely satisfied with the condition of affairs, 

 resigned his position as Curator in July, 1876. His action was 

 probably for the benefit of science as he thereafter was able to 

 devote his time to his conchological studies without interference 

 from outside engagements. 



In November, 1875, it had been agreed that the American 

 Entomological Society should be received into the Academy, and 

 on May 16th of the following year the Entomological Section was 

 organized on the basis of the proposed union, the Society retain- 

 ing its corporate existence as far as the administration of its trust 

 funds made it necessary. The union has been to the advantage of 

 both institutions. The entomological interests of the Academy, 

 almost entirely neglected from the removal of Say to the West 

 until 1876, have been most judiciously administered, especially 

 since the appointment of Dr. Henry Skinner as Conservator in 

 December, 1884. 



The organization of the Botanical Section was reported the 

 following month. It was mainly due to the efforts of Mr. Thomas 

 Meehan, who had succeeded Dr. John L. Le Conte as one of the 

 Vice-Presidents in 1877, retaining the office until his death in 

 1901. He devoted much time to the increase and arrangement 

 of the herbarium in association with Mr. John H. Kedfield, the 

 Conservator, whose later years were devoted to botanical studies, 

 although prior to 1876 he had done good work in conchology. 

 Mr. Meehan was a prudent councillor, active in his support of all 

 enterprises for the public good. His personality was such as to 

 inspire confidence, and this quality was productive of great benefit 

 to the Academy when, in 1879, his friend, Henry N. Johnson, 20 

 influenced solely by his esteem for Mr. Meehan, left his entire 

 estate, on the death of his wife, to the society. Mrs. Johnson 

 died in 1885, and the resulting increase in the Academy's resources 



20 Biographical Notice of Henry N. Johnson. Proo. A. N. 8. P., 1885, 

 p. 381. 



