Academy, Military, U

S. At West Point, N. Y. Institution established by law for the instruction of young men preparatory to their promotion into the U. S. Army as commi ioned officers. It is commanded by an officer of rank as superintendent, under the direct supervision of the War Department. An Academic Board directs and controls its system of studies and methods of instruction, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War. Its staff of instruction consists of about fifty officers specially selected from the army and detailed for four years' duty, after which they are returned to their proper stations, and of seven profe ors permanently attached to the institution. The students warrant officers recommended by representatives of Congre and appointed by the President. They must be actual residents of the Congre ional District from which they are appointed and of legal age (17 to 22 years), and before they are admitted must pa a preliminary examination in the simpler branches of learning taught in the common schools. The course of instruction extends over four years. Each cadet receives pay, amounting to $540 per year, which covers every po ible expense for his support, clothing and books, and leaves sufficient to pay for his officer's equipment on graduation. It is e entially a national school, whose pupils are wards of the Government and are drawn from every section of the country. From 1800, the date of its establishment, to September, 1894, there were admitted into the institution 7,582 cadets, of whom 3,616 have been graduated. Academy of Natural Science, Philadelphia, Pa. Founded 1812. A ociation of scientists, holding meetings for the reading of papers and discu ion. It publishes Proceedings and Journal.