The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-30
THE SCIENTISTS OF INDIANA.
They Form a State Association and Per-
feet q Permanent Organization.
President Jordan's Sketch Of Rafnesque-
The Rules and Bylaws by Which the
Academy Will Be Governed.
MORNING SESSION.
State Association Formed and an Organi-
cation Perfected.


"A State Association Formed and an Organi-
cation Perfected.
About one hundred scientists of Indiana pro-
fessionM and students, including representatives
from e7ery leading institution of learning in the
State, met in Superior Court room No 2, yes
terday. to organize permanent society. Dr.
J. p D. John, of DePauw University, pre-
sided temporarily, and Prof. A. W. Butler, of
Brookvile, acted as secretary. After appoint
ing committee of three on permanent organiZa-
ton, with Prof O. p. jenkins as chairman, and
Profs. Brennan and Stoddard as the other mem
bers, the order of reading papers was taken up.
These papers related to the various features of In
diana's scientific progress In the absence of DR..
Richard Owen. the secretary read that gentleman's
sketch of work accomplished for natural and
physical science in Indiana It was an exhaust
i've paper, treating of scientific research in this
State from the earliest period to the present. Its
reading took up great part of the afternoon ex-
ercises, and was discontinued until further
along in the session, to allow the presentation of
other papers
DR.. D. S. Jordan. of the State University. was
down on the programme for paper on "Ichthy
ology," but ne announced that he had another,
and took permission to substitute it, as his hear
ers would no doubt find it fully as interesting.
He then read sketch of Constantine S. Rain
esque, man who was regarded as a
crank, but one of great versatility
and learning. 1t was more than seventy years
ago that this eccentric scientist first visited Indi
ana, following the banks of the Ohio Rafnesque
was born in Constantnople, and he early evil
denced that fondness for knowledge and research
that gave him unique place in the walks of
knowledge. When but a boy, at Marseilles, he
became botanist, and at very early age began
a herbarium. He had no college education, but
was great reader. and acquired the mastery Of
many languages. The French Revolution sent
his fathers money out of France and the two
sons to America Constantine went to Pennsyl-
vania. and after travelling there for some
time, returned to Europe and located
in Sicily, where he engaged in
mercantile adventures. scientific studies and
other pursuits His manuscript notes, for which
he had eagerly sought publisher and was
fused, are now the property of the United States
National Museum. He returned to America
about 1910, but his ship, the cargo of which he
owned, was lost off New London, Conn. Rain
esque lost everything. but he started West and
came into Indiana, where he became associated
with Owen and Mcclure, at the New Harmony
settlement, then the center of Western scieDti
knowledge. After time, he went as professor
of natural science to the Pennsylvania Univers-
ity, where his experience was peculiar, owing to
Professor Holly's antipathy to Rafinesque's
studies The latters room at the Tran
sylvania was broken into, his specimens scat
tered and library destroyed. Under persecution
he left that place, and in tim met Audubon at
that scientists store near Henderson, KY The
Doctor gave graphic picture Of the meeting be-
tween these two learned mon, describing in par
ticularity the oddly of Rafnesque's appearance
and dress That night Audubon was awakened
by noise in his guests room, and found him
chasing bat with the hosts valuable violin
Ratinesque, among many pursuits, was an in
ventor. lie designed the coupon bond, and af-
terward tried his genius on steam plows. He
had fondness for Indians, and elaborated the
theory that they belonged to the lost tribes of
Israeli and out Of this perhaps grew Spauldings
idea of Mormonsm. Rafnesque claimed to have
and lightning at the Falls of the Ohio
He holds no permanent place of value in science,
according to his critics. His failure is attributed
to lack of attention to details and versatility
that led him to work in every kind of knowl-
edge He was the frontiersrnan OF natural histo-
ry, the Daniel Boone Of American science.
Ra6nesque poverty stricken. died in 1910, in
Philadelphia. He was too poor to pay rent for
his miserable room, and the landlord wanted to
sell the body to medical college to get his dues
but friends stole the remains and gave them
decent burial In little church-yard His
grave is unmarked, and orc knows
its exact location. Dr. Jordan closed
with a brief account of icthyological researches
in this State. In this connection he mentioned
in complimentary terms Prof. Herbert Copeland
Professor Gilbert and Ernest Copeland, the
draughtsmau.
At the close of this subject the committee on
constitution submitted its report which was
adopted as whole. The name Of the assoca
ton is the Indiana Academy of Science, and two
regular meetings will be held annually one in the
winter this the Wed nesday following
Christmas, and the other in the summer
Provision is made for special meetings.
The membership will consist of active and hon.
orary classes, the active consisting of those en-
gagged In scientific research and original investi-
cation. Any active member can become a life
member on the payment of 500 otherwise the
dues for each will be 81 annually. Honorary
members are to be those Of special prominence
in science who ar recommended by two mem
pers. A two-thirds vote will be necessary for
election either as &C i've or honorary members.
Ten members constitute a quorum. A set of
bylaws relating to the government of the So
ciety was also adopted, after which the
following officers were elected for the
ensuing year: President, d. S. Jordan, M. D.,
Indiana State University; vice presidents, Prof.
J. M. Coulter, of Wabash College; Dr. j. P. D.
John. of DePauw University, and the Rev.
David r. Moore of Brookville: secretary Prof.
A. w. Butler of Brookville; treasurer. Prof. o.
P. Jenkins of the State Normal School; libra
rian, who is also curator, Prof. j. N. Hurry, of
Purdue University
Other papers read at the afternoon session
were: Botany by Prof. J. M. Coulter; Phys
les" Prof. j. P. Naylor; Lower Invertebrates"
Prof O. P. Jenkins; "Mammalogy," Prof. E.
r. Quick; "Meteorology, Prof w. Fl. Raglan, of
DePauw University.
EVENING SESSION.