9 



The provision in our constitution for the encouragement of 

 specific investigation by the formation of Sections of the Academy, 

 has, perhaps, not received the attention it deserves. This is an 

 important means of securing thorough work in many different 

 departments of investigation, while making our Academy the center 

 of all, and the dispenser to each of whatever of value pertains to 

 our institution. 



THE PROGRESS OF SCIENCE. 



After such a review of the year's work as has been presented, 

 I know you sympathize in the reflex wave of feeling, "How little 

 has been accomplished !" How little when contrasted either with 

 our hopes and purposes and aspirations, on the one hand, or the 

 vast field inviting to research, on the other. But in the grand 

 world-field of scientific investigation the working brotherhood is 

 large, and the smallest constituency may rightfully draw upon and 

 appropriate the strength and vitality of the whole. Advancing over 

 the world, in every zone, on land and on the sea, do we find this 

 fraternity, applying to nature's mysteries the wealth of intelligent 

 research and patient investigation. Sounding and dredging the 

 seas, and threading the rivers of tropical latitudes ; detecting and 

 measuring the force of the shoreless rivers of mid-ocean, and map- 

 ping for commerce their invisible pathways ; reducing to law the 

 wayward play of the winds, the phenomena of the upper air ; forc- 

 ing the barriers of ice and cold and darkness, which for ages have 

 safely guarded the mysterious polar centers : dauntlessly searching 

 the labyrinths of mines and caves, descending the sulphurous depths 

 of the volcano, and anon breathing the tenuous air of the loftiest 

 peaks of both hemispheres ; unearthing from bog and plain the 

 crumbling skeletons of animals and men, fit contemporaries in 

 those prehistoric ages ; supplementing the discoveries of nature's 

 lenses with the microscopic treasures of the near, and the telescopic 

 revelations of distant worlds. 



What answers have come to their toilsome quest ? Most briefly 

 may we allude to a few of the more noticeable among the many 

 responses. 



In Astronomy. The location here of the Observatory, with 

 its grand telescope, and its great success as now employed, warrants 

 a first reference to this subject. Mr. S. W. BURNHAM occupies 



