PR(JPOSALS, &c. 243 



What then ? How are these objects to be effected ? 

 How are detached and stray portions of knowledge 

 to be collected and made use of? In what way can 

 talented men who have hitherto remained in obscu- 

 rity be tempted to put their abilities to some useful 

 purpose? In what way can the fortunate oppor- 

 tunities of some men be made to profit the whole 

 world ? With regard to the generality of the arts 

 and sciences r.vevy facility is afforded for the dis- 

 semination of improvements, and accessions of know- 

 ledo*e. Institutions and societies having for their 

 objects the cultivation and diffusion of knowledge, 

 are scattered throughout this empire. Among these, 

 such as are termed " Natural History Societies," or 

 holding any other appellation aim at the improve- 

 ment of this branch of science, maintain a conspicu- 

 ous rank. Natural History however is unlike every 

 other science in this respect, that it is susceptible of 

 improvement from day to day, and from hour to 

 hour, eveiy one who pays the least attention to it is 

 capable of adding a little to the general stock of 

 information, every spot, seemingly the most desert 

 and unprofitable will yield to the industrious obser- 

 ver, a fund, richer by far than that obtained by an 

 opposite character ifVom a locality teeming with 

 wonders of all kinds. Accordingly ages have passed 

 away without any records remaining to testify or 

 perpetuate the industry of former naturalists, and 

 without any means having been devised to receive 

 and propagate the advantages which might have 

 been derived from the thousands of useful facts 

 known perhaps only to individuals. In this state of 

 affairs it appears requisite that societies dedicating 

 their exertions in an especial manner to the advance- 

 ment of natural knowledge should be established in 

 all places where a number of persons could be found 

 sufficient to conduct the business of such an insti- 

 tute with effect. Considering the size, importance, 

 and respectability of the town of Plymouth, and its 

 vicinity, and considering still more our peculiarly 



