1821.] Cambridge PhilosopJiical Society. 231 



contributions of the members of this University, being frittered 

 and squandered away in detached and distant parts, appear to be 

 almost without existence ; but if the same scientific productions 

 had been concentrated, their testimony of the indusrry and abi- 

 lities of their authors would not only be creditable to the Univer- 

 sity, but would also tend more efteccually to the advancement of 

 Science. It is one of the objects of the Society, that a volume 

 for giving publicity to such writings, should occasionally be sent 

 forth, not at any fixed or stated periods, but so often as due and 

 approved materials can be selected for this purpose, and to this 

 end it is proposed that Philosophical Communications should be 

 encouraged from every quarter likely to afford them, by render- 

 ing to their authors every possible assistance which may be 

 necessary for their publication. Letters have been already 

 transmitted from the Secretaiies to persons who are likely to 

 promote the intentions of the Society ; and it is requested that 

 all its members will themselves further the designs of the insti- 

 tution, by inquiring for communications relating to the several 

 branches of natural history, and natural philosophy, especially 

 by means of their foreign correspondence, and the observations 

 they may be able to collect from scientific men engaged in foreign 

 travel. Whatsoever may tend to illustrate the history of the 

 animal, the vegetable, or the mineral kingdom ; of organized or 

 of unorganized existences ; will be deemed valuable acquisitions. 

 Of course, it is hardly necessary to add, that all papers on the 

 subjects of zoology in all its branches ; of botany, mineralogy, 

 geology, chemistry, electricity, galvanism, magnetism, and all 

 mathematical communications connected with the subjects of 

 natural philosophy, will be thankfully received, and always duly 

 acknowledged. 



The want of a sufficient incitement towards inquiries of this 

 nature, after University students have commenced graduates, 

 has been sometimes considered as a defect in the scheme of 

 University education. At that important period of life, wheu 

 ^e apphcation of philosophical studies should begin, academical 

 •students seem to have acted under an impression that they have 

 brought their studies to a termination. Or, if a disposition 

 should prevail, to approach the studies of Nature, under the 

 conviction that it is better " de re ipsa quccrere, quam mirari,^**' 

 this tendency, of such incalculable value in youthful minds, 

 becomes checked, either by the retirement or consequent want 

 of intercourse with literary men, to which the calls of professional 

 duties consign them, or by the little honour which in all our Universi- 

 ties has hitherto awaited the inquiry. The valedictory observa- 

 tions of Bishop Watson afford a decisive confirmation of this 

 truth : t and the reproaches cast upon our country by the cele- 

 brated Kirwan \ may be still considered as not altogether inap- 



• Seneca. f Watson's Miscellaneoui TracU, vol. it. p. 438. Load. 1815* 



X Min. Pref.p. 1. Lond, 1784. ^■^^..^j.ji^j^ .vM 



