XIV PEOCEEDINGS OF THE 



its application. "Were a Society, engaged in the promotion of any 

 great department of science, made to consist of various sections, 

 to each of which should appertain the cultivation of one indivi- 

 dual branch, and each contributing its gains to the general treasury 

 of the whole body, the analogy would be true and comprehensible. 

 But far different from this is the case before us. 



In the present instance the contributions of the different sec- 

 tions are wholly diverse in their direction and aim ; and the indi- 

 vidual bodies, so far from deriving strength and efficiency from 

 their separate action, are weakened like the segregated sticks of 

 the bundle in the fable, by the absence of mutual support and 

 cooperation. 



That a sincere anxiety and singleness of endeavour for the ac- 

 quisition and spread of scientific knowledge is the worthy motive 

 which induces many a zealous naturalist to join in and promote 

 the subdivision in question, cannot for a moment be doubted. 

 The overwhelming mass of daily additions to our knowledge of 

 mere isolated facts, the constant influx of newly discovered species, 

 having no obvious bearing on any question of moment, the geo- 

 graphical distribution of individual forms, the periodicity of the 

 various phases of animal functions and habits, and a thousand 

 other circumstances which, although unimportant in their indi- 

 vidual and unassociated entities, are yet worth preserving as 

 truths, or as having some future possible bearing upon more im- 

 portant generalization, appear to require some means by which 

 their record may be established and their publicity secured ; and 

 this necessity has doubtless its bearing upon the utility of asso- 

 ciations having for their object the fixing and utilizing of such 

 otherwise evanescent units of knowledge. But it becomes again 

 a question whether their preservation might not be equally pro- 

 vided for, without the expense both of time and money which is 

 contingent upon the working of so many distinct bodies. 



This observation leads me to consider for a moment another, 

 and I have reason to believe a very general reason for the exclusive 

 association of good and zealous men with some of the minor 

 societies. I mean the small comparative expense to which they 

 are subjected. This certainly appears, on the face of it, a very 

 plausible reason for abstaining from a union with the larger and 

 more expensive institutions. The difference between three gui- 

 neas and one guinea annually is so considerable, that I doubt not 

 there are many sincere and devoted naturalists to whom it would 

 just present the alternative between the propriety and prudence 



