8 The Chicago Academy of Sciences. 



and the occasion aroused great enthusiasm. A subscrip- 

 tion paper was started, to which the names of about 125 

 persons were soon appended, each agreeing to give the 

 sum of $500. The leading- spirits in this movement 

 were J. Young- Scammon, George C. Walker, Ezra B. 

 McCagg,Eliphalet W. Blatchford and Daniel Thompson. 



The gentlemen present at this informal gathering, 

 stimulated by the enthusiasm of Mr. Kennicott, 

 adopted the following resolutions: 



Resolved, That the creation of a museum of the 

 natural sciences for the increase and diffusion of 

 knowledge is highly desirable, and especially so at the 

 present time, in order to secure to this city the large 

 and valuable collection now apparently within its reach. 



Resolved, That a committee be appointed to devise 

 ways and means and to act as trustees of any funds that 

 may be raised for the accomplishment of this object. 



Resolved, That the committee above designated 

 consist of J. Young Scammon, Ezra B. McCagg, George 

 C. Walker, Edmund Aiken, Daniel Thompson, Eli- 

 phalet W. Blatchford, Henry G. Loomis, William E. 

 Doggett and two others whom they may name. 



The success of this committee was extraordinary, 

 and the generosity of Chicago's citizens was amply 

 demonstrated, for only a very few weeks of soliciting 

 were required to obtain the large list of subscribers 

 already mentioned. 



This movement was distinct from the work of the 

 Academy; but on April 13, 1864, by an amendment to 

 its constitution, the committee, acting as trustees of 

 the fund, was made the board of trustees of The Chi- 

 cago Academy of Sciences. The subscribers to the 

 museum fund were made life members, with all the 

 privileges of membership. 



On June 10, 1864, the board of trustees of the 

 museum fund adopted the following resolution, which 

 had been proposed by a committee at a previous 

 meeting: 



Resolved, That the purposes of our temporary 

 organization having been accomplished, the board of 



