Dec. 1847.] 339 



for this Library, and have been placed here by him with the sole object and 

 desire to foster and encourage a spirit of investigation, especially in the de- 

 partments of Ornithology, Geology and Conchology. 



In these acts the depositor has evinced an amount of disinterested gene- 

 rosity, and of zeal for the promotion of science, rarely to be found combined 

 in the same individual, and which have secured for him the lasting esteem 

 and gratitude of all connected with the Institution. 



To Dr. Griffith, the Society owes its highest acknowledgements for the 

 deposit of a large number of works in the various branches of Science, many 

 of them very rare and old, and probably contained in few public or private 

 Libraries in this country. 



Through Mr. Wetherill, the Library has been enriched the present year, 

 with several important and valuable Geological works, and it is also in- 

 debted to him for completing its series of others, parts only of which it 

 previously possessed. 



In closing this report, an opportunity is afforded me of stating to the Society 

 that, during the ensuing year, the Library Committee, in conjunction with 

 the Librarian, propose to select from the numerous miscellaneous works in 

 the collection, such of them as may appear either extraneous to the objects of 

 the Society, or of little value or utility in any form to the members, and to 

 exchange these for other works, either on subjects of Natural History, or of 

 an otherwise really useful character, and also to allow room for further 

 additions of the latter description. 



A list of those proposed to be rejected will, however, be first submitted to 

 the Society, and its consent fully obtained, before any action will be taken 

 by the Committee. 



Wm. S. Zantzinger, 

 December 28M, 1847. Librarian. 



REPORT 



OP THE CURATORS 



for the year 1847. 



At no time since the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia was 

 instituted, has its condition been more prosperous than at present; and 

 indeed, it is such as to form an important epoch in the progress of Natural 

 Science in America. This successful state is mainly attributable to the 

 interest which our fellow-member and co-labourer, Dr. Thomas B. Wilson, 

 has latterly taken in it. In 1846, this gentleman, through his brother, Mr. 

 Edward Wilson, of Lydstep House, South Wales, a Correspondent of the 

 Academy, purchased, in Paris, the large and magnificent collection in orni- 

 thology of the Due de Rivoli, which, upon importing to this country, he 

 resolved to deposit in the Academy, and at his private expense increased 

 the building to an extent commensurate with the end in view the accom- 

 modation of this vast addition to the Musuem. More space was, also 



