Abstract of History. xiii 



THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE OF ST. LOUIS. 



ORGANIZATION. 



The Academy of Science of St. Louis was organized on the 

 10th of March, 1856, in the hall of the Board of Public 

 Schools. Dr. George Engelmann was the first president. 



CHARTER. 



On the 17th of January following, a charter incorporating 

 the Academy was signed and approved, and this was accepted 

 by vote of the Academy on the 9th of February, 1857. 



OBJECTS. 



The act of incorporation declares the object of the Academy 

 to be the advancement of science and the establishment in St. 

 Louis of a museum and library for the illustration and study 

 of its various branches, and provides that the members shall 

 acquire no individual property in the real estate, cabinets, 

 library, or other of its effects, their interest being usufruc- 

 tuary merely. 



The Constitution, as adopted at the organization meeting 

 and amended at various times subsequently, provides for hold- 

 ing meetings for the consideration and discussion of scientific 

 subjects ; taking measures to procure original papers upon 

 such subjects ; the publication of transactions ; the establish- 

 ment and maintenance of a cabinet of objects illustrative of 

 the several departments of science, and a library of works 

 relating to the same; and the establishment of relations with 

 other scientific institutions. To encourage and promote special 

 investigation in any branch of science, the formation of special 

 sections under the charter is provided for. 



MEMBERSHIP. 



Members are classified as active members, corresponding 

 members, honorary members, and patrons. Active member- 



