Nostra tuebimur ipsi 



AVANT PROPOS 

 BY THE PRESIDENT 



Difficile est proprie communia dicere 



I should be wanting in one of the distinctive characteristics of 

 our minds and hearts — that leaven which induces a gentle and affec- 

 tionate association of worth — did I not gratefully appreciate the 

 honor conferred in my election as the Presiding Officer of this Acad- 

 emy of Sciences. 



This distinction has come to me at a time when we are saddened 

 by the loss of my predecessor whose remarkable endowments had 

 placed him in the front rank of the intellectual and scientific follow- 

 ing of this community. 



Lacking the executive ability and profound erudition in those 

 branches of science which Hector Alliot had made his life's study, I 

 may, at least, presume to have the confidence that I can follow his 

 lead in the conduct of the affairs entrusted to me. 



This Academy of Sciences was founded on November 6, 1891 as 

 "The Southern California Science Association." In 1895 that desig- 

 nation was changed to its present name, and on May 17, 1907, it 

 was incorporated under the laws of this Great Commonwealth. 



Commencing immediately after its organization, it issued from 

 time to time, under its imprint, monographs upon various subjects 

 until 1897, when our first regular series of Bulletins was commenced. 

 This series continued through 15 numbers down to 1905. But in 

 July, 1896, the first number of a series of Monographs, entitled 

 "Proceedings" was issued. These were of great value and interest 

 and their publication extended from that date down to 1902 when 

 number one of Volume I, of the present series of Bulletins, now em- 

 bracing 18 Volumes, was published, and this Academy has the proud 

 distinction of being the first and only Scientific Body on the Pacific 

 coast to edit and disseminate a regular and continued series of Bulle- 

 tins, which series has extended by a linked chain through twenty- 

 eight years. 



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