NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY 



It is probable that at the first meeting of the National Geographic 

 Society next winter some ver}^ important modifications in the work of 

 the Society will be recommended by the Board of Managers. These 

 modifications are largel}' the result of the growth of the Society dur- 

 ing the past 3^ear, as shown on the chart on the opposite page. Be- 

 tween June 1, 1899, and INIay 31, 1900, the membership increased 

 from 1,417 to 2,462. Thig rapid growth can, it is believed, be con- 

 tinued by maintaining the earnest and persistent efforts that have 

 been so efi'ective during 1899-1900. In a few years the Society may 

 hope to number thousands of members where it now has hundreds. 



The most important modification contemplated in the organization 

 or work of the Societ}^ is the unification of membership. Already 

 the non-resident members outnumber those resident in Washington. 

 It is now proposed to abolish the distinction between the two classes 

 of membership and give all members equal privileges. Among other 

 changes under consideration is the delivery of lecture courses in the 

 various cities of the United States as nearl}'^ identical with those given 

 at the Capital as may be practicable. It must be understood, however, 

 that none of these changes have as yet been considered by the Society. 

 The}' were earnestly recommended by President Alexander Graham 

 Bell at the annual meeting in Ma}', were unanimously approved by 

 the Board of Managers, and have been referred to committees, who 

 will form and submit to the Society plans for carr^dng them into effect. 



GROVE KARL GILBERT 



The striking portrait of Prof. G. K. Gilbert, which serves as the 

 frontis})iece to this number of the National Geographic Magazine, 

 depicts more clearly than any words the strength and brillianc}' of 

 this eminent scientist. Mr Gilbert was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 

 1843, and graduated from the Universit}' of his native city at the age 

 of 19. After several years as assistant geologist in Waixl Museum, 

 Rochester, he was appointed geologist on the Ohio Survey in 1868, 

 later on the Wheeler Survey, and then on the Powell Survey. Since 

 1879 he has been on the U. S. Geological Survey. On tlie death of 

 Dr Edward Orton he was elected President of the American Associa- 

 tion for the Advancement of Science for 1899-1900. He is the author 

 of "Geology of the Henry Mountains.'' " Lake Bonneville," etc., and 

 many other valuable contributions to geological literature. 



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