The morning call., 1891-02-03
CALLING A TRUCE.
Warning Scientists Join Forces
to Fight Sparrows.
The Minutes Of tie Academy of Sciences cb-
jected To-Trouble Over the True
Definition of a Scientist

Under the present existing conditions, to
gain an entrance to the hall where the
Academy of Science now holds.its me etings
requires the agility of channels and the in
trepidity of an Alpine guide.
Visitors now have, first, to crawl into the
main entrance through a hole in the board
fence that barbados the hall passage way,
and then walk plank over the holes and
quagmires of partially laid tessulated
pavement. Next, opening door they fall
headlong down an inclined floor into an
amphitheater kind of hall with grading
steps every five feet, all most admirably
adapted for tripping everybody up and land
ing them down the tOboggan-slide main aisle
right under the Chairman's nose on the
stage.
The inconvenience of access and accom-
modations are so apparent that the Chair
man last night apologized for them. and
stated that the next set regular meeting of
the academy would be passed in order to
allow the present incompleteness of the hall
TO be remedied.
INCREASING POPULARITY.
The academy held its regular meeting last
night, and must be congratulated on its
growing public popularity. AT least thirty
five persons were present. large increase
over the usual attendance, which for many
meetings past has not exceeded twenty.
Probably last nights larger attendance
was due TO the prospect that the ever men,
orable scenes told of by Bret Harte in his
story the "Society on the Stanslaus" might
be repeated. At the last meeting there was
trouble, and much OF it, in the scientific
camp over the true definition of the term
"scientist."
Gentlemen who had simply devoted them
selves TO collecting two specimens of fauna
were not considered quite as scientific" as
thOEn wlO made a sDPpialtv Of patharipe q III
old bones and writing up dreary treatises on
what species they might, could, would or
should belong to. Fossil hunters scorned
egg hunters, butterfly ehasers sneered at
other of not being real A No. scientists
and therefore unworthy of being continued
in membership.
WAR AvERTED.
a battle royal seemed imminent but was
averted by lack of ammunition. Tho
peleozoic bones, picked lizards. FIJI
war clubs and stuffed birds that made such
an imposing show in the old California
street meeting room were missing, and
though the red rag of war was Haunted by
a beillcoSe scientist or two, the only war
like demonstration last night was a proto-
col declaring war of determination against
the English sparrow.
President Hardness called the meeting 10
order, and the Secretary, in fine sonorous
voice, read the minutes of the last meeting,
IN Nnlcn IL was recorded - tnt amendments,
ETC. were adopted.
Scientist Reyes, who, as he himself stated,
comes from fighting family 300 years old,
at once objected to the adoption of the min
utes. He said they were void through the
Indebtedness of the amendments, aud he
objected strongly.
Scientist Hittell made some inaudble re-
marks.
Scientist Reyes objected to Scientist Hit
tells remarks because they were inaudible.
This Chairman overrued the objection and
declared that the minutes were approved
as read. This settled Scientist Keyes, but,
as be remarked, soto voce, I've got my
objection in all the same"
Resolutions of regret over the death of
DR.. Fell were presented by a committee
and ordered spread on the minutes and an
engr0SSed copy sent to the deceased 5 family.
Tie Librarians report was adopted and the
President read list of some recent dona-
tons To the museum.
DEATH TO sPARRows.
A very young and extremely bloodthirsty
scientist then moved that petition be drawn
up by the academy and presented to the
Legislature now in session, PRAYING that an
act be immediately passed ordering the total
extermlnation of that dangerous foe to man
and beast-the English sparrow The mo-
ton was adopted In all seriousness and the
Secretary ordered to draw up the petition.
a committee was next appointed to draft
appropriate resolutions over the death of
Obadiah Ltyermorc, deceased member of
the academy.
The President announced that Stanley.
the African explorer. would be here GU
March 18th. and that the academy would ex-
tend hlm'a royal welcome
Scientist Reyes reminded the Secretary
again that he had objected to the reaiing of
the previous meetings minutes, and the
academy adjourned.