34. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 
to understand and thoroughly enjoy the subject, particularly 
the discussion at the conclusion of Mr. Storms remarks. 
The latter part of this evening was taken up by Professor 
W. L. Watts, who gave a short lecture on volcanoes, illustrated 
by steroptican views, including several most interesting views 
of volcanoes in various parts of the world. Mr. 8. J. Kees 
also added to the evening’s pleasure by giving a description of 
the eruption of Mount Pelee, on the island of Martinique, West 
Indies. The description was illustrated by numerous interest- 
ing steroptican views. Mr. Keese was well qualified to present 
his subject having visited the scene of that terrible disaster. 
On the evening of December 16, at the residence of Mr. 
Keese, Professor Watts again lectured on the oil and gas yield- 
ing formations of Los Angeles and the Puente hills. This 
lecture was of thoroughly practical interest and the conditions 
under which oil and gas occur in the territory referred to. 
This meeting was attended by about twenty ladies and gen- 
tlemen who evinced a most hearty interest in all that was 
said by Professor Watts, who is the best authority in Califor- 
nia on the subject of the occurrence of oil and gas. 
All-Inclusiveness of Science 
The subject announced for the December meeting of the 
Academy was, ‘‘Beautifying the City.’’ Prior to the meeting 
a person who had received the notice querulously asked, 
‘‘What has Science got to do with Beauty?’’ The following 
reply was read from the platform, by Vice-President Wm. 
5 ae c@abred hae 
‘“What,’’ it is asked, ‘‘has Science got to do with Beauty?’’ 
Certainly a pertinent and very proper question. The Academy 
of Sciences is organized for the purpose of promoting research 
in natural science, and diffusing a knowledge of its truths. 
The question imples that the Academy would best serve its 
purpose by keeping within its own sphere. But those who 
are familiar with the present trend of human thought and 
research, realize that the realm of pure science has so ex- 
tended its borders in recent times that it has become all- 
inclusive in the scope of its investigations. . 
Just half a century ago, that master mind of a former gen- 
eration—Herbert Spencer—put forth the first volume of his 
marvelous work, in which he classified and summed up all 
human knowledge, demonstrated the unity of Nature, and 
affirmed that all the varied phenomena of which the mind 
can take cognizance, may be reduced to an orderly scientific 
