CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. The pending amendment to Article VI, section 1, of the constitution, was adopted, as follows: All investments shall be made by the treasurer, in the corporate name of the Academy, in stocks of the United States; or, with the approval of the council, in State bonds, or first-mortgage bonds, or real estate. The treasurer shall have authority, with the approval of the council, to sell and transfer any United States bonds held by him in the corporate name of the Academy. NEW RULE. The following new rule was adopted: At least sixty days before the election the members signing the nomination should furnish the home secretary with a sufficient number of printed copies of the list of the more important works of the nominee, to enable the secretary to furnish a copy to each member of the Academy. The recommendation of the president to renumber and rearrange the rules so as to bring matters on the same subject together was referred to the council, with power to act. NEW MEMBERS. The following new members were elected: Messrs. G. Brown Goode, Albert A. Michelson, and Seth C. Chandler. NOMINATIONS. Thirteen nominations for membership in the Academy were read. DEATH OF MEMBERS. The president announced the death, since the last meeting, of Prof. Asa Gray, and of Dr. Ferdinand V. Hayden. The following members were appointed to prepare biographical memoirs : Of Prof. Asa Gray, Professor Farlow. Of Dr. F. V. Hayden, Prof. Joseph Leidy. The president brought before the Academy an invitation from the University of Bologna, requesting that a delegate be sent to represent the Academy at the eight hundredth anniversary of that institution. This celebration was to be held in June, 1888. It was moved and adopted that the matter be referred to the presi dent, with power to act. The president subsequently appointed Dr. S. Weir Mitchell as delegate to represent the Academy on this occasion. It was moved and adopted that the home secretary be requested to present the thanks of the Academy to the Cosmos Club for courtesies extended during the present session. The Academy adjourned April 20, 1888, to meet in New Haven, Conn., November 13, 1888. SCIENTIFIC SESSION. HELD IN NEW HAVEN, CONN., NOVEMBER 13 TO 15, 1888. A scientific session, for the reading of papers only, having been called by the council, as annouced at the April session, the Academy met in the north hall of the Sheffield Scientific School, New Haven, Conn., on November 13, 1888. The meetings were continued on the 14th and 15th. The president, Prof. O. C. Marsh, presided. The following members were present during the session: The following papers were read and discussed: 1. HOLDEN, E. S.: The Lunar Eclipse, July 22, 1888. 2. Boss, LEWIS; presented by A. Hall: The Zone Undertaking of the Astronomische Gesellschaft. 3. LOOMIS, ELIAS: The Rain-Fall of the North Atlantic Ocean. 4. BREWER, W. H.: A Finished Breed of Horses. 5. GIBBS, WOLCOTT, and HARE, HOBART EMORY: A Systematic Study of the Action of Definitely Related Chemical Compounds upon Animals. 6. NEWBERRY, J. S.: The Cretaceous Flora of North America. 7. NEWBERRY, J. S.: On the Zoological Relations of some Palæozic Fishes. 8. OSBORN, HENRY F., presented by E. D. Cope: The Evolution of the Mammalian Molar Teeth to and from the Tritubercular Type. 9. LEE, L. A., presented by A. E. Verrill: Some Scientific Results of the Albatross Expedition from Washington to San Francisco. 10. MICHELSON, A. A., and MORLEY, E. W.: Some Measurements of Relative Wavelengths. 11. DANA, E. S.: A new Mineral from Maine. 12. PETERS, C. H. F.: Remarks on the Expression of the Law of Attraction in the Stellar Systems. 12. HALL, A.: Note on the Satellite of Neptune. 14. GILBERT, G. K.: The Problem of Soaring Birds (read by title). 15. POWELL, J. W.: The Laws of Corrosion. The scientific session closed November 15, to meet in Washington, April 16, 1889 SPECIAL SESSION. HELD IN NEW HAVEN, CONN., NOVEMBER 14, 1888. A special session of the Academy having been called by the council, in accordance with Article III, section 1, of the constitution, the Academy convened at North Sheffield Hall, November 14, 1888; the president, Prof. O. C. Marsh, presiding. The president stated that the object of the meeting was to consider his annual report to Congress. RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COUNCIL. The home secretary read the following recommendation from the council, which was adopted: That the president be authorized to present his annual report to Congress, and to include in this report the proceedings of the present meeting. The home secretary also read the following statement from Mr. Newcomb, chairman of the board of trustees of the Watson fund: WASHINGTON, D. C., October 19, 1888. To the President of the National Academy of Sciences: The trustees of the Watson fund have voted to expend a sum not exceeding $800, to enable Prof. G. C. Comstock to make a determination of the constant of aberration at the Madison Observatory. I am requested to ask an approval of this action by the Academy. Very respectfully, SIMON NEWCOMB. It was moved that this action of the trustees of the Watson fund be approved. This motion was adopted by the Academy. The president and home secretary explained the condition of the printing of the memoirs of the Academy. Part I, of Volume IV, had been completed, and would soon be ready for distribution. NOMINATIONS. Two nominations for membership in the Academy were read. DEATH OF MEMBER. The president announced the death of Prof. A. H. Worthen, a member of the Academy, who died May 6, 1888, at Springfield, Ill. Mr. Leo Lesquereux was appointed to prepare the biographical memoir. The special session was then adjourned. Respectfully submitted. O. C. MARSH, President of the National Academy of Sciences. |