The regular monthly meeting of The Franklin Institute was called to order at 8:30 o'clock by the President, Mr. Nathan Hayward, who immediately called upon the Secretary for the business of the evening.
The Secretary announced that the minutes of the previous meeting had been printed in the JOURNAL and unless there were objections or corrections, they would stand approved. As there were no objections, the President declared that the minutes were approved. The Secretary also reported that 355 members had been added to the roll since the last meeting. He called attention to the Traveling Chemistry show, which has recently been made into a portable demonstration and is now being shown to schools, colleges and societies away from Philadelphia.
Mention was also made of the resumption of the lectures on music, on alternate Sunday afternoons, by Mr. Guy Marriner, Associate Director in Charge.
He then introduced Dr. Samuel W. Fernberger of the University of Pennsylvania, who presented to the Institute for its museum, on behalf of Dr. Thomas S. Gates, President, and the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, a specimen of dried plant from the herbarium of Gregor Johann Mendel, Abbott of the Augustinian Monastery of St. Thomas at Brtinn, Germany. The President accepted the gift and requested that the thanks of the Institute be conveyed to the donors.
Dr. Fernberger was then invited to address the meeting on the subject which had been scheduled: "Mendel and his Place in the Development of Genetics."
The speaker pointed out the importance of genetics as a science for all the biological sciences and arts, including medicine. After describing the development of the genetic theory up to the time of Mendel's experiments, an attempt was made to evaluate his contribution. Some indication was given to the development of the science during the past thirty-five years. This was followed by an interesting account of Mendel's life, with special emphasis on his experimental period and the fate of the reports of his experiments. The subiect was illustrated by diagrams.
Mr. Wetherill was recognized and expressed the thanks of the meeting to the speaker. Adjourned.
HENRY BUTLER ALLEN,