icieut to alter the whole aspect of 

 legetatation. In inauy respects the 

 ■jhauges are disagreeable iu the sub- 

 Hituliou of introduced weeds of coarse 

 \nd homely aspect, for the Dative 

 Jeoi/dus of the soil. The prairies that stir- 

 romnd us today, are no louder the prairies 

 >i twenty-two years ago. Even a spot 

 which 1 have religiously cuerisued as a 

 botanizing grouud, comparatively iiee 

 tioin intrusion as the last resting place of 

 the dead, has been taken possesion of !>y 

 e yrabs and white clover, and I can no 

 u-ngtr hod the prairie primrose, the mocc-i 

 an flower % or the gentian, which formerly 

 nourished there. i have noted the same 

 kind of changes in process ou the Rocky 

 Mountain slopes. So tbat I feel the urgency 

 ind importance of early collections of Nat- 

 ural History to inform those wbo'may come 

 liter us »f the aboriginal aspects of our 

 mrrounding country. 



The same is, no doubt, also true iu regatd 

 to animals and insects. Introduced species 

 inpplant the native, till the or^aniz^d as- 

 pects of a country become entirely changed. 

 This fact is probably not as applicable to 

 minerals, and geological formations,, which 

 Nature most carefully protects in her cov- 

 | ired'museums. Yet, still our coal beds and 

 juarries, in being worked our, will cause a 

 kanh of fossils and minerals that if early 

 lollected would serve to give a more com- 

 pete view of the various formations they 

 King to light. 

 I mention these facts, gentlemen, as a 

 ii notive for industry and perseverance in the 

 I mportant work of making local collections. 

 It would no doubt, be a matter of interest 

 / md curiosity to know some about the Flora 

 |» )f Japan, or tbe|mineral and animals of In- 

 htependent Tartary, or Central Africa ; but 

 i; )ur nearest duty lies at Home. History is 

 lere making every day, and it is one impor- 

 j i/int part of our duty to give it a record and 

 | >»rmanence in our collections and transac- 



It will also be very desirable to com- 

 mence the issuing of publications and trans* 

 ictions as early as possible. By this means 

 done shall we be brought into intimate re- 

 ; ations with kindred associations elsewhere, 

 ind be entitled to receive that class of pub- 

 icitions that we need to keep us well posted 

 o tbe movements and progress of scientific 

 research all over the world. Such publica- 

 ions need not be very extensive or elabor- 

 ite, but should be continuous. If neglected 

 00 long, our name as an Academy of 

 kience will pass out of view, and our cor. 

 'epponding members will forget their mem- 

 *Taiiip. This single suggestion is all that 



feel authorized to offer afthe present time. 



In regard to membership I would recom- 

 nend arigid adherence to rules of admis- 

 lion and prompt payment of dues. No 

 lame, however desirable otherwise, should 

 >ftbl!o»vfcd to remain our list, if needlessly 

 <ezH in thjs respect. We shnll need 

 \*r$tn(*ucki ^ much mire than mere names, 

 and unless the latter come with this asso- 

 ciated recommendation they had better be 

 eft out. 



might profitably, on a different occasion 

 call your attention, but at present tbe 

 subject may be safely left to your reflection 

 and an enlarged experience of your pro- 

 gressive wants. 



In now assuming the less responsible 

 duties of a corresponding member, I trust I 

 shall find no occasion to forget my pleasant 

 associations with this pioneer society, or to 

 feel any diminished interest iu its growth 

 and success. Twenty-five years of the most 

 active period of my life have been passed 

 in connection with this home locality. I 

 have seen the village of one thousand in- 

 habitants increase twenty fold, in a cer 

 tain sense I have not been an idle spectator, 

 though I have occupied no coveted field, or 

 sought for personal emoluments that might 

 have been within my reach, I have been at | 

 least a z-alous student in Natural History, j 

 and have no higher ambition than to bo so 

 regarded. I have endeavored to see and un- 

 derstand as much as I could of the country 

 and districts in'whieh my lot has been cast. 

 I have not hesitated, on all suitable occa- 

 sions, to use my pen and my voice in behalf 

 of the educational claims of natural science. 

 And in now assuming similar duties in a 

 distant locality, I have only to regret that I 

 have not worked harder and accomplished 

 more. 



With most sincere thanks for ths courtesy 

 that has marked our past relations, I now 

 present my resignation of the Presidency 

 of the Academy, and asked to be enrolled 

 on tbe list ot its corresponding members. 



As the Doctor concluded his address, a 

 deep feeling of regret was manifest on the 

 countenances of the members of the Asso- 

 ciation. All fell the loss of his services as 

 an active member of the Association to be a 

 serious episode in its history. 



On motion, Rev. James Ghallen, James 

 Thompson and A. 9. Tiffany were appointed 

 a committee to draft resolutions expressive 

 of the feeilngs of the Association in refer- 

 ence to Dr. Parry's removal, and the esteem 

 cherished for him as a Scientist and as a 

 Citizen. 



The Association than adjourned, and the 

 members thronged about the Doctor and 

 extended their farewells and Godspeed. ' 



