54 Transactions Tennessee Academy of Science. 



the central and western States. Among those deserving special 

 mention are the Academies of Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illi- 

 nois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, California, Ohio, Kansas, 

 Colorado, Utah, Maryland and last of all, Tennessee. 



One of the particular functions of a State Academy is that of 

 serving as scientific adviser to the State in which it exists. It 

 has been well said that this function alone constitutes a sufficient 

 basis for the organization of such societies in every State. 



In an address before the Iowa Academy of Science, Prof. 

 H. Osborne has called attention to the fact that in many instances 

 geological surveys, biological surveys, topographical surveys and 

 other enterprises dependent upon State support have had their 

 origin in or have received their support and encouragement from 

 the State Academies. 



As may be seen from the enumeration given of State Academies 

 of Science, Tennessee is the only State in the South that has such 

 an organization. With the awakening of this giant in the South- 

 land, must come that organization of all the forces of science 

 and the arts which is necessary to the right utilization and con- 

 servation of the great resources, material and human, of this 

 part of our country. In this work the Academies of Science in 

 the various States are destined to play a prominent part. And in 

 this great work we trust that our own x\cademy shall serve as a 

 stimulus and an example pointing the way of progress and high 

 achievements. 



Suggested Lines of ^ictiz'ify of the Academy. 



What has been said, however, is merely preliminar}' to some 

 suggestions I desire to make touching the future work of the 

 Academy. The organization must find its justification in what 

 it does for its members and for the State. If it shall serve no 

 other purpose than as a stimulus for scientific work among its 

 members, it will ami:)ly justify its existence. But above and be- 

 yond all, let us see to it that it shall be felt in the prouK^tion of 

 every enterprise tending io conserve the material and human 

 resources of our State. 



In this connection, permit me to outline a little more specifically 

 some views as to the lines along which the efiforts of the Academy 

 mav well 1k' directed. 



