FROM THE PRESIDENT 



SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



Fellows and Members of the Southern California Academy of 

 Sciences : 



At the last annual meeting of the Board of Directors, 

 Arthur B. Benton, who has so successfully guided us for the past 

 five years, declined to be nominated again for President. 



By the unanimous choice of my associates and friends of 

 many years, I have been called upon to succeed him and to 

 assume the honor and the responsibilities of President of the 

 Academy. 



Eager to serve Science and the cause of our Institution, I 

 have accepted this new mark of regard and confidence. I realize 

 fully, however, the difficulties of the ofiice I am called upon to 

 fill, in these troubled times, when most of scientific research is 

 cast into the background of human activities. 



No deviation from our well-defined path of usefulness is 

 to be introduced, but more intensified work and results are 

 expected from the sections. 



Greater efficiency is expected from our Committee on Pub- 

 lications. Our Bulletin has enjoyed, for nearly a quarter of a 

 century, the proud position of being the oldest continuous record 

 of the activities of any Scientific Society on the Pacific Coast. 

 With its approaching silver jubilee its position and standing 

 must be further enhanced, that it may become the representative 

 scientific publication of this region. 



My administration dedicates itself to emphasizing the work 

 of the Academy, in its sections; its publications and course of 

 lectures, which are its natural functions ; to co-ordinate these 

 efiforts towards the better knowledge and the greater propaga- 

 tion of study in our well-defined domain, the Pacific Coast and 

 the Southwest ; to bringing in closer and friendly contact, the 

 various local scientific endeavors, that Southern CaHfornia may 

 be known better at home and abroad as a center of sincere and 

 earnest searching after the truth ; through the scientific efiforts 

 of the Academy. 



In the carrying out of this simple and logical program of 

 activities I count upon your enthusiastic support and co-opera- 

 tion. 



HECTOR AELIOT, President. 

 Z7 



