330 SIR RODERICK I. MURCHISON'S ADDRESS— AMERICA. [May 23, 1859. 



a physical geographer as he is an eminent geologist. Liberal as the 

 State of Pennsylvania has been in contributing to the payment of 

 the cost of this elaborate work, I happen to know that in addition 

 to years of labour, the author has spent some of his private means 

 in bringing it out ; and I therefore sincerely hope, for the honour of 

 science, that these volumes may meet with such a sale as will in- 

 demnify the writer, who has shown that he can combine such a pro- 

 fusion of details with broad and ingenious philosophical views. 



Many are the subjects connected with our science on which, in 

 honour of the United States, I might expatiate. Even whilst I write, 

 the newspapers of Boston announce the proposal to erect a vast 

 Conservatory of Art and Science. Now, whether this idea be car- 

 ried out in the public gardens of that city, or, as my illustrious 

 friend Professor Agassiz wishes, in the precincts of the adjacent 

 University of Cambridge, with which the names of Everett, Prescott, 

 and other eminent men are associated, a subscription for that 

 noble object, as furnished by thousands of citizens, is the best proof 

 which can be afforded of an enlightened patriotism.* 



Central America. — Every year brings us some new information 

 regarding those portions of Central America which seem to offer 

 the best lines for opening a direct communication, either by rail- 

 roads or canals, between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. 



The proposed railroad through Honduras has led to surveys across 

 that territory, of very great interest in their actual as well as an- 

 ticipated results. They will be invaluable to our mapmakers for 

 the new data which they add to our geographical knowledge of a 

 country never before so carefully explored. I have on previous oc- 

 casions adverted to the mass of valuable information on Central 

 America collected and published by Mr. Squier, the intelligent 

 promoter of the Honduras Interoceanic Railway, which he has since 

 followed up by further details, amongst others a corrected account 

 of the great lake of Yojoa, which has recently been printed in the 

 Proceedings of our Society. 



M. Belly, who has obtained from the Governments of Nicaragua 

 and Costa Rica the exclusive privilege and right to open an inter- 

 oceanic communication, by water, through the territories of those 



* The great work of Agassiz, to the completion of which that eminent naturalist is de- 

 voting his life, and which has been subscribed for in the various Slates of America to the 

 amount of 60,000/. sterling, is an additional proof of the encouragement of science in 

 the United States. 



