ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 35 



American Association. — While speaking of our own Association 

 it may not, perhaps, be amiss to refer briefly to the American 

 Association for the Advancement of Science, a body founded upon 

 the lines of the British Association and similar in its aims and 

 constitution, which was originated in 1844, by a few geologists, 

 including James Hall, who, in the rooms of the Academy at 

 Philadelphia formed an Association of geologists and naturalists. 



Three years later in Boston it was decided to enlarge the 

 Association, hence at the Philadelphia meeting in 1848 a new 

 constitution was adopted of the present comprehensive character 

 upon the lines of the British Association, and its aims were 

 set forth in terms almost identical with those of the British 

 Association. 



The object of the American Association was stated to be " by 

 periodical and migratory meetings to promote intercourse between 

 those who are cultivating Science in different parts of the United 

 States, to give a stronger and more systematic direction to 

 Scientific research in our Country ; and to procure for the labours 

 of scientific men increased facilities and a wider usefulness." 

 Afterwards the name United States was replaced by America and 

 the scope of the Association extended, as shown by Article 1 of 

 the modified constitution. 



The young Association apparently experienced great difficulties, 

 in its earlier years, from lack of funds and the great distances that 

 its members had to travel. With the increase of the cultured 

 and leisured classes, it is now fast growing into a large and 

 influential body. The American Association for the Advance- 

 ment of Science was incorporated by act (1874) of the Senate and 

 House of Representatives, for the pupose of holding real property 

 not exceeding 100,000 dollars in value, and personal property to 

 the value of 250,000 dollars. 



Article 1. of the Constitution sets forth the aims and objects as 

 follows : — " The objects of the Association are, by periodical and 

 migratory meetings, to promote intercourse between those who 



