National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-21
SCIENCE AND ART.

THE ANNUAL SESSION OF THE MA
TIONAL ACADEMY TODAY.
The annual session of the National Academy Of
Sciences Will be held to-day at the Smithsonian
Institution, and Will continue for several days.
The meetings for communications on scientific
subjects commence every day at II o'clock In the
west hall Of tho institution and are open to the
public. The attendance Of persons interested IN
science 10 invited. Among those who have signi-
fed their intention Of being present are Dr. Bar
nard, OF Columbian college, N. y; Professors
LaConte, Rodgers, Of Philadelphia, Gibbs, OF
Cambridge, Mass, Whitney, Of New Haven,
Conn, Hilgard, Of the United States Coast Sur
vey; Generals Barnard and HUMPHREYS, Of the
United States engineer corps; General M. O.
Meigs, Admiral Chss. H. Davis, Professors Baird,
Gill, CONN, Newcomb and DR.. Woodward.
The academy was organised through the exer-
lions Of Prof. Louis -Agassis, OF Massachusetts
by an act of Congress approved March 8, 1ssS, for
the advancement of science, to consist Of not more
than hfty members, who were granted power to
make their own organization, including its consti-
tuition and bylaws, and rules and regulations, to
ill oil vacancies created by DEATH resignation, or
otherwise to provide for the election Of foreign
and domestic members, the division into Glasses
and all other matters needful or usual In such
constitutions, and to report the same to Congress
The academy shall hold annual meetings, and
eminent, investigate and examine, experiment
and report upon any subject OF science or art the
actual expense Of such Investigations, examina-
tons, experiments and reports to be paid from
appropriations which may be made for the pur-
pose, but the academy shall receive no compensa-
ton Whatever for any services to the Government
OF the United Statet.-
BY o subsequent law OF Congress the restriction
as to membership was removed and the academy
allowed to elect as many as It chose. The con-
stitution sets forth, regarding membership, that
they shall be designated as members, honorary
members and foreign members who, upon aduis-
sion, shall take the osthOf allegiance prescribed
by the Senate of The United States for its own
and, in addition thereto, an oath faith
fully to discharge the duties of q member Of the
National Academy Of Science to the best Of bis
ability.
The members Of the academy are arranged in
two classes, according to their special status viz
The class OF mathematics and physics, and the
class Of natural history. 81. ~ - Il
The officers Of the academy are elected for six
years, and two stated meetings are held each
year-one in the city of Washington, and the
other in any place the academy may direct. By
the constitution no person can be elected who has
not done anything to denominate him as o scien-
list, and not more than four members can be
elected at any one session. ed
The first president Of the academy professor
Bates) donated $4,000 to be expended in the
cause Of science The academy is now preparing
q magnet survey Of the United States which will
soon be published.
1t is thought that the session beginning to-day
will be very interesting, and that valuable sub
jects will be presented.