860 



SCIENCE. 



[N. S. Vol. XXIII. No. 596. 



Philadelphia, Pittsburg and other leading 

 cities, were well represented. 



The meeting was called to order at 10:30 

 A.M., by Dr. W. J. Holland, and upon his 

 motion Dr. Hermon C. Bumpus, the director 

 of the American Museum of Natural History, 

 was made temporary chairman. Dr. George 

 A. Dorsey, of the Field Museum of Natural 

 History in Chicago, was made temporary sec- 

 retary. A committee on permanent organiza- 

 tion, consisting of Dr. W. J. Holland, of the 

 Carnegie Museum; Dr. Wm. M. E. French, 

 of the Art Institute of Chicago; Professor P. 

 M. Rea, of the College of Charleston; Dr. 

 James E. Talmage, of the Deseret Museum of 

 Salt Lake City; and Dr. W. P. Wilson, of 

 the Philadelphia Commercial Museums, was 

 appointed. 



Many interesting papers were read and dis- 

 cussed. Luncheon was served at the Amer- 

 ican Museum of Natural History during the 

 first day's session. 



The second session^ held on May 16, con- 

 vened at the Museum of the New York Botan- 

 ical Garden in Bronx Park. A final organ- 

 ization was effected by the election by ballot 

 of Dr. Hermon C. Bumpus as president. Dr. 

 Wm. M. E. French as first vice-president and 

 Dr. W. J. Holland as second vice-president. 

 Dr. George A. Dorsey was chosen secretary 

 and Dr. W. P. Wilson treasurer. Councilors 

 were elected as follows: To serve for three 

 years — Dr. Eichard Eathbun, of the TJnited 

 States National Museum; Professor E. S. 

 Morse, of the Peabody Academy of Sciences, 

 Salem, Mass. To serve for two years— Dr. 

 N. L. Britton, of the New York Botanical 

 Garden; Professor J. E. Talmage, of the 

 Deseret Museum, Salt Lake City. To serve 

 for one year — Mr. F. A. Lucas and Dr. 

 Wm. H. Goodyear, both of the Brooklyn 

 Institute. 



The ofiicers and the six councilors constitute 

 the council of the association, which formally 

 assumed the name of ' The American Asso- 

 ciation of Museums.' A temporary constitu- 

 tion was adopted. All persons who were pres- 

 ent and participated in the meeting, as well 

 as all persons who by letter had signified their 

 adhesion to the movement, were by formal 



vote constituted charter members. This gives 

 the association a large membership at the out- 

 set, which it is hoped will be very rapidly 

 increased. 



It is provided in the constitution that all 

 those who are actively engaged in the work 

 of museums may become ' active m.emhers ' of 

 the association upon payment of the sum of 

 two dollars annually. 



Museum,s contributing not less than ten 

 dollars per annum may become 'sustaining 

 memhers/ and shall be entitled to vote through 

 their chief executive officers, if present at the 

 meeting, or by a formally appointed delegate. 



Provision is made in the temporary consti- 

 tution for '' associate memhers/ consisting of 

 those who are not actively engaged in the 

 worlc of museums ; ' honorary memhers,' the 

 number of whom shall be restricted to fifteen, 

 and 'patrons.' 



Active members may upon payment of 

 thirty dollars at one time be exempt thereafter 

 from the payment of annual dues. 



It is proposed to initiate, so soon as the way 

 may be clear to do so, a journal, or publica- 

 tion, in the interest of museums. 



A very gratifying feature was the receipt 

 of a number of letters from the heads of 

 museums in South America, giving in their 

 adhesion to the movement. A congratulatory 

 telegram from Dr. W. E. Hoyle, on behalf of 

 the British Museums Association, was re- 

 ceived with much applause. 



A rising vote of thanks was given to Dr. W. 

 J. Holland for his services in bringing about 

 the formation of the society. 



The luncheon given by the New York 

 Botanical Garden to the delegates, at ' the 

 Hermitage,' near Bronx Park, was a most 

 delightful affair, and Dr. Hermon C. Bumpus 

 and Dr. N. L. Britton won the hearts of all 

 by their most gracious hospitality. 



The gathering was declared by all who were 

 present to be most successful, and it is doubt- 

 ful whether any movement for the formation 

 of an international association of this kind 

 has ever been larger or more enthusiastic. 



The association adjourned to meet at the 

 call of the council in the spring or early sum- 



