TRANSACTIONS OF THE TEXAS ACADEMY OF 
SCIENCE. 
Vol. I. 
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
By Dr. Everhart, President op the Academy. 
February 6th, 1892. 
For some time past there has been a feeling on the part of some of 
those here present that the time was ripe for the formation of a Sci¬ 
entific Association in this State. This feeling needed but a word to find 
expression of approval and to inaugurate the movement. This word 
was spoken a little over a month ago, and immediate steps were taken 
to bring about the present result. The professors of science, natural 
and exact, in this University, held an informal meeting in the early 
part of January and decided to send to various men engaged or inter¬ 
ested in scientific work in Texas invitations to meet here on the ninth 
of January for the purpose of organizing a Scientific Society. These 
invitations met with a most cordial response from everyone. The meet¬ 
ing was held at the time named and organization perfected. 
The plan and scope of the Texas Academy of Science are intended to 
be somewhat similar to those of the National Academy of Sciences at 
Washington. 
As will be seen in the constitution already adopted, the object of the 
Academy is threefold. In the first place it is intended that an oppor¬ 
tunity should be given to the scientists of the State to have personal 
intercourse with each other, to exchange ideas, and to discuss scientific 
questions of the day. Were this the only object of the Academy, still 
its organization would be well worth the effort, for by this personal in¬ 
tercourse between men of different or kindred pursuits, and by this 
interchange of thought, and by the consequent regarding various ques¬ 
tions from many different standpoints, men become less rusty in those 
branches of science other than their own, they become more tolerant 
of the opinions of others, and are compelled to leave those ruts fostered 
by isolation and freedom from contradiction. To the teacher especially 
is this feature of the Academy valuable. He, necessarily, has always 
to speak ex cathedra. In presenting subjects to his classes he is lawyer, 
judge and jury. To such a man discussions with his equals are a ne¬ 
cessity. It is urged upon the members of this Academy, therefore, 
that they not only contribute to its success by scientific papers, but 
