1879.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 435 



equally entitled, subject only to such restrictions as were con- 

 sidered necessary for their preservation. 



From the formation of the society to the present time, its policy 

 has been based on such principles, and to those principles it owes 

 much of its substantial prosperity and present condition. 



Original research was not the sole object of the societ}^, nor was 

 it ever designed that the society should be composed exclusively 

 of masters in science, specialists, or experts. Members worthy to 

 be so entitled are most desired and honored, most beneficial to the 

 Soeiet}', and most deserving to be aided in all reasonable ways, 

 in the use of its accumulated means and facilities of study, not in 

 conflict with the rights which are alike and equally common 

 to all members, learned and unlearned. No part of the museum 

 or library can be held in reserve for the exclusive use of any class 

 of specialists. 



The purposes of the Academy are, and always have been : 



1st. To aid and encourage those who may labor to increase 

 knowledge of natural objects, and of the laws under which they 

 exist. 



2d. To encourage and aid novitiates in natural science. 



3d. To diffuse knowledge resulting from original researches, 

 among the votaries of natural science everywhere. 



4th. To render knowledge of the natural sciences generally 

 attractive and interesting to the public. 



The purpose first named, to encourage original investigations, 

 is manifest in the free access to the museum and library, given to 

 specialists who may desire to use those sources of information in 

 their studies, and in the publication of the results of their labors 

 when desired. This sort of encouragement is not restricted to 

 members of the society. Publishing discoveries made elsewhere, 

 or by others than members of the Society, is no discredit to the 

 liberality of the Academy, and is surely not calculated to impede 

 original research. 



The purpose placed second, to encourage and aid novitiates, is 

 realized by instructing them individually, and pointing out to 

 them approved methods of study in order that they may become 

 qualified to engage profitably in original investigations. The 

 many beneficiaries of the Jessup Fund bear witness to the benefi- 

 cent influences of the Academy under this head. They compensate 

 the institution for the benefits it confers by the work they do for 



