Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-04-17
About the National Academy OF
Sciences,

The National Academy of Sciences, now in
session in this city, numbering in its list of
members the most distinguished men of this
country in every branch of science, and in
Guiding in its foreign associates some of the
most prominent scientists of the Old World is
in every way notable body. From its emf
nent and venerable president, Professor Hen
ry, through the entire roll every member is
prominent in science. Washington city of
peculiar advantages as well as disadvantages
is not more highly favored i'm any other
respect than in the fact that it is scientific
center where the citizen may meet at times
with Americas investigators and discoveries
and learn the latest steps of progress taken by
the world in the direction in which it's prnci-
pal advances are now made. Other advan-
tageS of the sessions of the Academy are not
few. The mere interchange of ideas among
the foremost men of thought in the country
cannot fail to give increased vigOr and effec-
tiveneSs to their subsequent labOrS for the
advancement of science. The papers read
are epitOmeS of what is known on each special
subject at the date of preparation. Nearly five
hundred of these, of great diversityn topic
and treatment, have been prepared since
the Academy came into existence
As the Academy receives no assistance from
the government, its means for publishing the
results of the researches of its members are
limited. An effort is now being made and we
hope that il will prove successful, to establish
publication fund In the past the resources
OF the body, mainly dependent on the lIberaity
OF private individuals, have been principally
devoted to the assistance of original scientific
investigation The existence of the Academy
places at the disposal of the government a
trained body of inexpensive experts" BY
the act of Congress which Incorporated it, pro-
vision was made that it should. when called
upon by any department of government in
yestigate, examine and report upon any sub
Ject of science or art, the actual expense of
such labor to be paid from an appropriation
made for that purpose: but the Academy
shall receive no compensation whatever for
any services rendered to government" So
when the Secretary of the Treasury wished to
know all about sugars, their capaci
ties for adulteratiOn, colOring, etc, in
order that the correct duties might be i'm
posed, he called upon President Henry
to furnish the information. and the matter
was referred by him to a committee composed
OF those members of the body who were
versed in sugar. So when the Secretary of the
Navy wished to be informed as to the advisa-
bility of certain changes in the Nautical Al
nldndc, the services of the astronomical and
mathematical members were called into requi-
sition. Thus the labors of the Academy, be-
sides having the prospective value that be-
longs to all scientific investigation are fire.
quently of immediate and practical utility.
The removal by Congress in 1870 of the origi-
nal limitation of its membership to fifty has
enabled the Academy to place on its roll of
members nearly twice that number. And it
will continue to grow with the growth of
science, and will serve as the exponent of the
Development OF scientific Knowledge in this
country.