At the beginning of the year, corresponding members paid no dues. On March 20 of this year, however, the By-Laws were so amended as to require these members to pay annual dues of $2.00, such payment entitling them to the publications of the Society.

Meetings.—The Society has held 22 meetings during the year, of which, 13 were regular meetings for the reading and discussion of papers, 4 were public lectures at which an admission fee was charged, 1 was a field meeting at the Great Falls of the Potomac on May 21, 1 was a special meeting for considering ways and means for increasing the Society's usefulness, 1 was the meeting for presentation of the annual address of the President for 1889 (delayed by reason of absence of the President from the city), 1 was the meeting for the presentation of the President's address for 1890, and 1 the annual meeting for the election of officers and transaction of business.

At the regular meetings for the reading and discussion of papers, the average attendance was 170, the highest being 850 and the lowest 25.

The Board of Managers have held 23 meetings for transacting the business of the Society, of which 13 were regular and 10 were special meetings. The highest attendance of the 17 members composing the Board was 13, and on several occasions there has been no quorum.

Changes in the Board.—On November 5, the Recording Secretary, Mr. Henry Gannett, resigned, and the Board of Managers filled the vacancy by electing Mr. Marcus Baker in his place. The Board then elected Mr. Gannett as one of the Managers. On December 9, Mr. O. H. Tittmann resigned the office of Corresponding Secretary, and Dr. J. C. Welling resigned from the Board of Managers. The vacancies thus created have not been filled.

Explorations.—In the month of May the Board of Managers decided to send a party to the vicinity of Mt. St. Elias, Alaska, for the purpose of making geographic and geologic exploration and survey. Funds for the purpose were obtained in part from the treasury of the Society, in part from private subscription and in part from the coöperation of the U. S. Geological Survey. Mr. I. C. Russell, Geologist of the U. S. Geological Survey, was placed in charge of the party and of geologic work, and Mr. Mark B. Kerr, Topographer, also of the U. S. Geological Survey, was sent in charge of the topographic work.

Through the kindly coöperation of the U. S. Navy Department and of the U. S. Revenue Marine, both of which furnished transportation, the party reached the field of work and was brought away at the close of their labors without mishap or loss of time. The party, consisting all told of nine persons, were enabled to spend about three months in exploration and survey of a most interesting and unknown region filled with gigantic mountains smothered in glaciers. An area of several hundred square miles was mapped, mountain peaks climbed, heights measured, photographs made and numerous and interesting notes obtained. A final report of this, the Society's first venture in exploration, is now in preparation and its publication by the Society is expected in a short time.

Publications.—During the year the Society has published volume II of the National Geographic Magazine. This volume contains 285 pages, together with maps and illustrations, and was issued in four numbers, in April, May, July and August.

MARCUS BAKER,
C. A. KENASTON,
Secretaries.