Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary. xlvii 



side the boundaries of his special departmeDt. Conscious of 

 his power, the outgrowth of broad and accurate knowledge 

 supplemented by great achievement, he was without a sus- 

 picion of conceit. He dominated the meetings of the 

 Academy as its acknowledged head and leader. A shallow 

 pretender to knowledge withered under his plain and direct 

 statement of fact ; the modest seeker after truth was made 

 stronger by his sympathetic appreciation and encouragement. 



In the late 60's the meetings of the Academy were held, 

 through the courtesy of Dr. Chas. A. Pope, in one of the 

 buildings of the St. Louis Medical College, on the northeast 

 corner of Seventh and Myrtle streets (the latter now known 

 as Clark avenue). Engelmann, Shumard, Wislizenus, Dr. 

 Enno Sander — then as now Treasurer, the Recording Secre- 

 tary, Judge Nathaniel Holmes — Corresponding Secretary, 

 Dr. G. Baumgarten — Librarian, and a half dozen others, 

 more or less appreciative votaries of science, made up the regu- 

 lar attendance. Hardly ever were there more than ten or 

 twelve persons present, and those generally the same. The 

 larger body of members, who were not in the habit of attend- 

 ing the meetings, contributed the money needed to defray the 

 cost of the publication of the Transactions. 



At an early date, the Academy had collected a notable 

 museum, later destroyed by fire, which was displayed in an 

 upper hall in the building of the Medical College. Its library, 

 already valuable, and consisting largely of publications of 

 learned Societies received in exchange for its own Transactions, 

 was shelved in a room adjoining that in which the meetings 

 were held. 



The growth of the Academy in later years has been essen- 

 tially along the lines so wisely defined by its founders. Its 

 library has been steadily and enormously increased through 

 its affiliations with other scientific bodies in this country and 

 in Europe ; its treasures are housed, and its meetings are held, 

 in its own building, provided by private munificence. Its 

 Transactions have appeared in unbroken series, and have been 

 kept up to a high and worthy standard. 



Mr. President — Colleague and Friend : — It is my privilege 



