SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. /// 



from laymen necessitate due attention to their just demands for the 

 presentation of papers in less technical form than would be proper before 

 learned societies. 



The mission of the local Academy being, as I take it, to elucidate local 

 Nature according to its capabilities, to conserve or record natural land- 

 marks wherever possible, to inspire rising generations with zeal for re- 

 search and to promote and promulgate the results of scientific investiga- 

 tions, it does not appear to be any part of its duty to undertake the per- 

 formance of work within the purview of strictly technical societies. 



But there is some danger of carrying this idea too far in applying 

 it to the sections, unless due regard be had to technical accuracy as con- 

 trasted with technical pedantry. 



It is at least possible that the home we sorely need will be provided 

 in some way ere many years. This is essential to the right perform- 

 ance of the task before us. Already discussion relating to the arrange- 

 ment of rooms has been had. Many have taken for granted that a 

 museum, library and laboratories are required. It is my opinion that the 

 museum should always be held as an educational feature, the books 

 should be relegated to the custody of the public library, where they would 

 be as accessible as elsewhere and properly cared for by experts in book- 

 handling, and the laboratories should be instituted only as required for 

 the purpose of carrying on work especially endowed. 



Local collections, as such, are valuable in economic lines and ap- 

 propriately housed in museums of applied science. But type specimens 

 of plants, animals and fossils ought to be preserved in a central city read- 

 ily accessible to students, under the care of trained specialists. An ap- 

 propriate place has been provided for such material at Washington in the' 

 National Museum. Nor should we narrow the scope of exhibits to the 

 local horizon. There is a vast difference in purpose between a Chamber 

 of Commerce and a scientific society. 



There are advantages in having a regular means of communication 

 between the active officers of the society and its members, and no harm 

 can ensue from the printing of papers and contributions which cannot well 

 be circulated through more .technical channels. But bulletins of this class 

 of organizations are not gdod mediums for publishing results which are 

 adapted for presentation ,to national technical societies. Abstracts, sum- 

 maries and items of scientific news in untechnical language are appropri- 

 ate always. 



In the saying of this, do not imagine that I decry the high-class work 

 of which many of our trained members (our Fellows, in fact,} are capable, 

 and which they have freely offered in some of our sectional meetings. We 

 may be proud, as we are, of their achievements and glad indeed to have 

 their results explained to us, but the cause of science is not elevaled by 

 making the local general society the grave-yard for technical literature. 

 The scientific reputation of any member is to us a source of pride and 

 of gain, but we must not forget that our machinery is not itself adapted 

 to make such reputation for any one, whatever facilities we may be 

 able to afford for fostering and encouraging the work upon which it is 

 based'. 



The best methods of promoting the cherished objects of our ossocia- 

 tion are matters for discussion. There may be differences of opinion and 

 I am merely outlining in the most general way, the character of platform 

 upon which you may expect me to stand during my official term as your 

 President. So far as my accomplishment may go, bear in mind that it 

 will very largely depend upon your hearty approval and the cordial sup- 

 port of the earnest Board of Directors elected by you. 



That the Southern California Academy of Sciences has attained its 

 present high standing and efficient usefulness speaks loudly for the 

 worth and work of the five capable men who have presided since the 



