1903.] 
NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 
803 
the Conchological Section, have been issued. In addition we are in- 
debted to Mr. Clarence B. Moore for the publication of No. 3 of Yol. XII 
of the Journal, consisting of 136 pages, profusely illustrated with 
text engravings. 
Under the auspices of the Academy, therefore, there have been 
issued during the year 21S2 pages and 129 plates of scientific matter. 
The statistics of distribution are as follows: 
Proceedings, delivered to members, 51S 
exchanged, 587 
“ to subscribers, 45 
1,150 
Journal, exchanged, 70 
“ to subscribers, 34 
104 
Thirteen members and five correspondents have been elected. The 
deaths of seven members and three correspondents have been an- 
nounced, and the following members have resigned: William H. 
Roberts, Thomas G. Morton, Charles D. Lippincott, E. Shirley Borden 
and Miss Ethel Smith. 
The most notable event in the year’s history was the adoption, May 5, 
of a revised code of By-Laws, providing for several changes in adminis- 
tration. The most important of these relate to the meetings of the 
Academy and the duties of the Committee on Publication. Instead 
of a meeting every Tuesday evening throughout the year, sessions are 
now held on the first and third Tuesdays from October to May 
inclusive, thus decreasing the number from fifty-two to sixteen. It 
was held that the constantly increasing tendency to the division of 
scientific interests into specialties and the consequent organization of 
sections and special societies interfered with attendance on general 
meetings, and that all interests involved would be better secured by 
meeting less frequently. It is, perhaps, premature to pronounce an 
opinion on the results of this important change, but it is quite apparent, 
that the interest of the meetings held since last October has been better- 
sustained than for some years previous. The reference of papers direct 
to the Publication Committee instead of indirectly to the Academy, 
a change unavoidable in view of the decrease in the number of meetings 
if promptness of publication were to be secured, has been found in 
practice to be desirable, as the interval between the reception of a paper 
and its appearance in print has been much reduced — has been, in fact, 
reduced as far as seems to be at present practicable, while it is con- 
