The Chicago Academy of Sciences. 37 



groups for the discussion of subjects along special 

 lines. This is an age of specialists, and sections of 

 microscopy, photography, entomology, chemistry, 

 astronomy and physics, ethnology, pathology and geol- 

 ogy were formed, and held regular monthly meetings. 

 In fact, at no time in its history had the Academy 

 shown a more vigorous life. This was the first result 

 of the agitation concerning removal. 



In the summer of the year 1892 an offer was re- 

 ceived from the board of commissioners of the west 

 park system to build a home for the Academy in Gar- 

 field park, fronting on Madison street. This very 

 promising offer was considered with favor by the board 

 of trustees, but on consultation with legal authorities 

 it was found that the law governing the actions of this 

 board of commissioners would not enable them to make 

 a contract which would protect the Academy in the 

 ownership of its specimens and be binding on future 

 boards appointed to control the affairs of the park. 



About the same time the welcome intelligence was 

 brought to the members that a Chicago family was 

 animated with a generosity so wise and far seeing as to 

 offer the means for building a permanent, secure and 

 beautiful home for the Academy. 



Mr. Matthew Lafiin, who during a long and suc- 

 cessful business career had been identified with the in- 

 terests of Chicago, and who had grown up with it, 

 seconded and aided by his sons, George H. Laflin and 

 Lycurgus Laflin, had promised to give a generous sum 

 of money toward this most noble purpose, under the fol- 

 lowing conditions: 



1. That the building should be fireproof. 



2. That it should be erected on an appropriate 

 site in Lincoln park. 



3. That the museum should be opened to the pub- 

 lic without charge. 



4. That the plans for the building should be ap- 

 proved by the family of the donor. 



