REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES DURING THE YEAR 1882. PRESENTED TO CONGRESS FEBRUARY 13, 1883, BY O. C. MARSH, ACting President. WASHINGTON, D. C.: REPORT. The National Academy of Sciences was established by Act of Congress, in March, 1863, with power to frame its own constitution, select its own members, and provide in other respects for its continuance and successful operation. The object of the Academy is to advance science and especially to investigate, examine, experiment, and report on any subject of science or art whenever called upon by any department of the Government. The Academy contains, at present, about one hundred members, and these have all been selected for their original researches in science. They represent within their ranks nearly every department of knowledge, and their services, in accordance with the charter of the Academy, are always at the disposal of the government, without compensation. SESSIONS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY. The During the past year the Academy has held three sessions. first was the regular annual session, held in Washington, April 18th to 21st, 1882; the second was a scientific session, in New York, November 14th to 17th, 1882; and the third was a special session, in New York, November 15th, 1882. STATED SESSION.-HELD IN WASHINGTON CITY, APRIL 18th TO 21st, 1882. The Washington session was held in the National Museum, and was presided over by the President, Prof. W. B. Rogers, who gave a short opening address. The following members were present : Abbe. Baird. Barker. Gill. Brewer. Hall, A. Brush. Hilgard, J. E. Coffin. Hill. Peirce. Cope. |