In the series of our Transactions we have certainly an important bond 

 with the scientific world. But San Francisco threatens to come up with 

 us, and Chicago hasbj its splendid volumes far surpassed us. 



Our meetings during the past year have been regular; but few mem- 

 bers, only half a dozen perhaps, usually bring their scientific contribu- 

 tions to our mart. Few papers have been read, and scarcely any material 

 has been furnished for the commencement of a third volume of our 

 Transactions; but though no number has been published since iS68, our 

 exchanges come iu regularly and with the true liberality of science. 



Many new members have joined us during the year, but most of these 

 do give us only their passive countenance, and but few of them meet with 

 us in our semi-monthly exercises. 



We are, as has been stated, at this hall provisionally allowed us by the 

 Board of Public Schools free of charge. Our exchequer is empty, but 

 we may say that our finances are in a fair condition, as for the first time 

 in many years we are now free of debt, our Treasurer having paid the last 

 instalment due the "Missouri Republican" office, for the printing of 

 the last number of our Transactions, after a liberal deduction had been 

 allowed. 



The number of associate members amounts now to 72, who pay their 

 instalments. 



This is the present status of our Academy. You must perceive that 

 without some essential change it will cease to live, and these present 

 members who continue their scientific labors will become connected with 

 the institutions of other cities and the results of their studies will redound 

 to the credit of other places. 



As a means to revive our Academy, it seems to be absolutely necessary 

 to revive the interest of the public in its existence and its doings; to con- 

 vince them that such an institution is as much the means to promote high- 

 er culture as it is the proof of the existence of such culture among us, and 

 that it is an ornament to our city. It is further necessary to draw to us 

 all such active forces as may exist among our population — and this is the 

 great and most important point : to make an effort to influence the educa- 

 tion of the growing generation so as to imbue them with a greater love for 

 science, and in particular for natural sciences, than has hitherto been ex- 

 perienced, so as to raise up among them zealous and active workers in 

 the great field. 



Is it not strange that most of us, living as it were almost on the bor- 

 ders of civilization, surrounded by the vestiges of a grand and imposing 

 nature, should so little care for the external objects which really influence 

 our welfare and our verj' existence, for their laws of development and 

 being, and their bearings on innumerable practical questions. 



Much more might be said on the value of education in these branches, 

 hitherto with us almost entirely neglected, and of its importance in the 

 culture of the mind paramount to that in the classics, and its importance 

 equally great in practical points of view. 



Leaving this subject now, I close by recommending you to elect a set 



