170 Scientific News. [ February, 
SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 
— The National Academy of Sciences held a meeting, Novem- 
ber 16th-19th, for the reading of papers by its members at New 
York. From the annual report of the president, Prof. W. B. 
Rogers, we take the following statement, showing the practical 
nature of the work already performed by the members for the 
Government, and who are elected solely from the excellence of 
their original contributions to pure science. 
The National Academy of Sciences was established by Act of 
Congress in March, 1863, with power to frame its own constitu- 
tion, select its own members, and provide in other respects for its 
continuance and successful operation. 
The object of the Academy is to advance science, pure and ap- 
plied, by original researches; to invite the attention and aid of 
the Government to scientific inquiries of especial public import- 
ance, to be directed by the Academy; and especially to investi- 
gate, examine, experiment, and report on any subject of science 
or art whenever called upon by any department of the Govern- 
ment ; 
The Academy contains at present about one hundred mem- 
bers, representing within their ranks nearly every department of 
knowledge, whose services, in accordance with the charter of the 
Academy, are always at the disposal of the Government. 
The Academy by its charter is made in a sense the scientific 
adviser of the National Government, and has, therefore, been fre- 
quently called upon by the departments for suggestions or re- 
searches on scientific questions bearing upon the public in- 
terest. 
The Report gives a summary of what the Academy has done 
since its foundation in aiding the Government by its scientific 
advice and cooperation. The special investigations thus under- 
taken amount in number to thirty-one, on such subjects as the 
magnetic deviations in iron ships, the national currency, the ex- 
pansion of steam, the prevention of counterfeiting, the improve- 
ment of Greytown harbor, Nicaragua, the distinguishing of calf’s 
hair goods from woolen goods, silk culture in the United States, 
the measurement of the velocity of light, the preparation of a 
magnetic chart of the United States, and similar subjects, together 
with reports on weights, measures and coinage, 
As the Report states: “ A consideration of the value of these 
labors, and of the prompt zeal with which the Academy has 
always responded to the calls of the Government, should incline 
the National Legislature to continue the wise policy of making 
ample provision for the scientific work undertaken by the Acad- 
emy at the request or with the sanction of the Government. Re- 
searches of the nature of some of those here enumerated, require 
