562 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NEW YORK MEETING 



As this is my last report, a few words reminiscent and historical ma}" 

 not be amiss. 



The character of the Society, the polic}', and the formalities of the 

 Secretary's office were established during the first two years, under the 

 wise guidance of Professor Stevenson. As Editor, Doctor McGee gave 

 the Bulletin its exemplary form, only one volume of which had been 

 printed and sent to the Fellows when the writer was called to the Secre- 

 tary's office, January, 1891. The questions of the distribution and sale 

 of the Bulletin had jet to be considered. 



The first circular advertising the Bulletin and soliciting subscriptions 

 from libraries was dated January, 1892. From time to time efforts have 

 been made to enlarge the subscription lists, and some advertising has been 

 done, but with little apparent effect. The character of the publication is 

 such that the demand can not be greatly stimulated. Where desired, the 

 Bulletin sells itself. 



Through the Editor and Secretary, the Society has been conducting a 

 publishing business, and the Secretary has been running a sales-room by 

 correspondence and selling the Bulletin in all parts of the world, chiefly, 

 of course, in America. 



After deliberation and correspondence, a list of "Exchanges" was made 

 in 1891, with the purpose of placing the Bulletin at focal points of scien- 

 tific influence over the world. The first list numbered 68 (see Bulletin, 

 vol. 3, page 468). The obtaining of library material in return for the 

 Bulletin was- not an object, but was inevitable. The accumulation of ex- 

 change material led to the making of a contract in 1894 with the Case 

 Library of Cleveland for the care of the Society's Library (see Bulletin, 

 vol. 6, page 437), and in 1898 Professor Cushing consented to act as 

 Librarian. (His first report is in Bulletin, vol. 10, page 423.) 



The Constitution of the Society followed conventional practice in pro- 

 viding for several classes of members : Fellows, Correspondents, and 

 Patrons. At one time the Council made an earnest effort to select a com- 

 plimentary list of Correspondents, but after compiling and sifting many 

 proposed names, the effort was abandoned and has never been revived. 

 It is quite as well. One strong element of success of the Society has 

 been its democratic spirit, and it is better that all its membership should 

 stand on an equality. If any foreign geologist wishes to place F. G. S. A. 

 after his name, he can do so by becoming a Fellow and paying the regular 

 charges, as the territorial limitations to fellowship were removed in 1894. 



Perhaps it is also fortunate that the Society has had no patrons, but 

 has succeeded entirely through the character and the contributions of its 

 fellowship (see the Treasurer's report, following). 



