46 
Journal of Mycology 
[Vol. 10 
THE AMERICAN MYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
BY THE SECRETARY. 
The mycologists present at the Washington meeting of the 
American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1902, 
held an informal conference to .consider the advisability of form¬ 
ing an organization. The sentiment proved to be strongly in 
favor of such a movement, but it was felt that the matter should 
be carefully looked into before decisive steps were taken.Ac- 
cordingly, a committee on organization, consisting of Messrs. 
Earle, Shear, and Clements, was appointed to correspond with the 
mycologists of the country, and learn their views on the project. 
This committee met immediately to formulate plans and to draw 
up a tentative list of those whose interest might be such as to 
make them favor such a society. In April a circular letter was 
sent to these, in which expressions were asked as to the desira¬ 
bility and the form of organization. The response was so general 
and so enthusiastic, that the committee decided to proceed in the 
matter of making definite plans for organizing at St. Louis. 
A second letter was issued in December, fixing a time for meet¬ 
ing, and calling attention to the fact that arrangements had been 
made with Section G, by which Wednesday morning of the ses¬ 
sion was set apart for a mycological program. 
The meeting for organization was called to order at 4 P. M, 
Tuesday, December 29, 1903, in the Central High School. A 
temoprary organization was effected by electing Professor Ar¬ 
thur chairman, and Dr. Clements secretary. The report of the 
committee was read by Mr. Shear; it was as follows: 
“ The committee appointed at the informal meeting of the 
mycologists held at Washington last winter beg leave to submit 
the following report. Letters were sent to twenty-five mycolo¬ 
gists, presenting a tentative plan, and asking their opinion as to 
the desirability of the society and the form of organization, 
whether as an independent society or a sub-section Answers 
have been received from twenty-four of these, all heartily favor¬ 
ing the movement. As there was considerable diversity of 
opinion as to the form of the society, the committee has thought 
it best to suggest that an independent organization be perfected at 
present, but with the express purpose of affiliating as a section 
when feasable. Your committee has seen fit to call a meeting 
with a view to organization at this time, as the needs of our work 
and the sentiment of mycologists seem amply to justify such ac¬ 
tion. Through the courtesy of Section G, a mycological program 
has been arranged for Wednesday morning. Letters to this ef¬ 
fect have been sent out to the mycologists, and in nearly every 
case replies have been received, expressing approval of the course. 
