) CHICAGO i ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, ANNUAL ADDRESS. 1878. CHICAGO- ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. ANNUAL ADDRESS READ BY E. W. BLATCHFQRD, A. M., PRESIDENT OF THE ACADEMY, JANUARY 22, 1878, WITH THE REPORTS OF THE SECRETARY AND TREASURER. CHICAGO: PRINTED FOR THE ACADEMY. 1878. S 2 OFFICERS OF THE Chicago Academy of Sciences FOR THE YEAR 1878. President, HENRY H. BABCOCK, A. M. Vice- Presidents, WILLIAM BROSS, A. M., HOMER N. HIBBARD, A. M. Secretary, SELIM H. PEABODY, PH.D. Librarian, Recorder, General Committee, H. H. BABCOCK, E. W. BLATCHFORD, J. S. JEWELL, M. D., WILLIAM BROSS, J. H. HOLLISTER, M. D., H. N. HIBBARD, JAMES OTIS, S. H. PEABODY, F. H. DAVIS, M. D., E. ANDREWS, M. D., S. W. BURNHAM. Committee on Membership, E. W. BLATCHFORD, S. H. PEABODY. CHARLES ADAMS, M. D. I ADDRESS. Members of the Academy, and Ladies and Gentlemen : To-night we pass another mile-stone in the history of our insti- tution. It seems appropriate that as we enter upon the new year, a brief review be taken of that just closed. According to the provisions of our constitution, the work of the Academy is twofold the collecting of objects of natural history and of scientific interest in the Museum, and the study and devel- opment of scientific knowledge by means of the essays and discus- sions at the monthly meetings the Library being a necessary aid in each of these departments. What has the year 1877 accomplished for the Academy in these directions ? The report just read by our Secretary presents quite fully the good work which has been done in connection with our MUSEUM during the past year. Its results in the number and the variety of the additions made, are gratifying. In the present incom- plete condition of our museum catalogue, it is not possible to state with accuracy the number of specimens we possess. We are safe, however, in placing the number as follows : MAMMALS 66 BIRDS Mounted -. 765 Skins i,34O 2,105 OOLOGY Eggs 1,800 Nests 75 1,875 FISHES 177 REPTILES 51 CRUSTACEANS 50 CORALS 300 SHELLS 15,000 INSECTS 6,000 SKELETONS 5 CASTS 150 BOTANICAL SPECIMENS 2,300 MlNERALOGICAL SPECIMENS 5OO PALEONTOLOGICAL " 1,200 ARCHAEOLOGICAL 270 Total number of specimens 30,049 Of this collection it may be said that the prominent mammals of North America are here well represented. Of birds we have speci- mens of all the orders but the ostrich, and of most of the families of North American birds. We have a fair representation of the fresh- water fishes of the country, also a good collection of shells, and a very nearly complete collection of Florida corals. In this connection we gratefully recognize, and not for the first time, the valuable services of our faithful life member, Dr. J. W. VELIE. In the winter of 1871 and 1872 Dr. VELIE accompanied our lamented STIMPSON to the Gulf, and such time as could be secured from his constant and kindly ministrations to the invalid in his feeble and rapidly declining condition, was devoted to collecting and preserving specimens, principally from the strait between Cuba and Yucatan. Dredgings were also made off the Florida Keys, from Key-West to Sombrero, which were sent to Prof. AGASSIZ, at the Cambridge Museum. Dr. VELIE made a second trip to the Gulf in January, 1875, when collections were made from the Gulf Stream, from the Tortugas to Key Vaccas ; and upon the main- land of Florida, from Cape Sable as far north as Charlotte's Har- bor. The third trip was made in the winter of 1876 and 1877, when the Florida coast was examined from Cedar Keys to Key- West, and most of the rivers ascended, some as high as thirty miles. These expeditions have been productive of rich results, and have added largely to our collections of mammals, birds, eggs, shells, corals and fish. Justice to Dr. VELIE'S work demands this statement in addi- tion to the acknowledgements voted by the Academy and the grace- ful tribute in our Secretary's report. Our Museum secured valuable additions of shells through one of our resident members, W. W. CALKINS, Esq., during his two expeditions to Florida, in which both the eastern and the western coasts were partially examined. The value of these services have been previously recognized by the Academy. THE LIBRARY. The monthly statements presented to us by the Librarian have prepared us for the favorable results detailed in the full annual ivj... rt. \vhirh has heen made this evening. The present good con- dition of the Library is due to the patient labor of our Librarian and Secretary, who for the past fourteen months has been engaged upon it, together with work connected with the Museum. While much remains to be done, it has yet reached the condition when every volume, pamphlet or document is so arranged and cata- logued as to be readily found when needed. This work we hope to have prosecuted ; and thus will our comparatively small collection, thoroughly indexed, prove, for scientific aid, of more value than a larger one not so carefully classified. Were we able to resume the publication of our Transactions, our Library, and, indeed, our Mu- seum also, would receive large and valuable accessions, both by donations and exchange. In several departments of science we could furnish material for such publications had we the means to expend. THE MONTHLY MEETINGS. The second mode through which the influence of our Academy is exerted, demands a brief consideration. In estimating the growth of the Academy hitherto, and in forecasting its future development, this is a most important element. During the last year papers have been read before the Academy, by its members, on the topics named : Dr. EDMUND ANDREWS, three papers Soundings in Geneva Lake. Memorials of Col. J. W. FOSTER, LL.D., former Pres. of the Academy. Formation of Caves and Ravines. Prof. ELIAS COLBERT, three papers On the Meteor of 1876. Star Conflagrations. The Perturbations of the Moon's Motion. Prof. S. H. PEABODY, three papers On Cephalopterus Vampirus. Memorials of Col. J. W. FOSTER. On the Blue Ray. Hon. WM. BROSS, two papers On Archaeological Remains at Morris, Illinois. Notes of a Trip to Starved Rock and Deer Park. Dr J. H. HOLLISTER On the Adoption of the Metric System. S. W. BURNHAM, Esq. On Recent Observations of Double Stars. Prof. A. D. HAGER On the Culture of Shad. Prof. T. P. REINSCH On a Meteoric Stone Found in Illinois. W. W. CALKINS, Esq. On the Geology of Alachua County, Florida. 1 s roNE, Esq. On Plant Distribution. Dr. J. |jJ l ^^- Rescarches on the structure and Modes of Action of the Brain. I . S. CHKSI-.ROUGH, Esq. On the Davenport Tablets. II. X. RUST, Esq. On Prehistoric Graves in the Vicinity of Nashville, I enn. ' A Report on the Third Florida Expedition for the Collection of Spec- imens for the Academy. A discussion was also held upon The Physical and Medical Influ- ence of the Blue Ray, a paper being read by Dr. J. H. TUCKER. This brief emumeration of these papers gives an inadequate idea of the real value of the meetings. The discussions called out at the time, and the subsequent discussions of these and kindred topics among the members, indicate the purpose, the legitimate influence, and the power of the Academy in this department of its work. During the past year we are able to recognize a marked increase in the interest and value of these meetings. It has shown. itself in the larger attendance, in the increased number of carefully prepared papers presented, and especially in the wider range of topics discussed. The improvement of these meetings is a subject that has occupied the careful attention of your officers ; and much