244 PBOPOSALS TO ESTABLISH A 



fortunate position, and relations for prosecuting ad- 

 vantageously and creditably every sort of investiga- 

 tion connected with this science, it stems strange 

 that it should have been left to such an individual 

 as myself to propose an undeitakinc^ of the above 

 named kind. It may be thought by some that we 

 here offer disrespect to the " Plymouth [nstitutlon," 

 but let it be remembered that the objects of this 

 and of the proposed society differ v/idely, and let it 

 also be considered that the regulations of the Ply- 

 mouth Institution are incompatible with tlie pecu- 

 niary circumstances of the generality ol person*?, and 

 that the means taken for the cultivation and diffusion 

 of natural knowledsie are quite dispioportioned to 

 the importance of the subject, and to the ends which 

 in our opinion should be kept in view. 



To point out in this paper the whole of our notions 

 concerning the futuie constitution, rejjulations, and 

 proceedings of this projected society would be pre- 

 sumptuous and useless, but we sliall, in concluding 

 our remarks, offer our ideas of the ])rinciples on 

 which the further operations of the society should 

 rest. The number of members should not be res- 

 tricted, but their admission should be deteiuiined by 

 the ballot of the originators. Peisons of respecta- 

 bility resident in the neighbourhood should be deem- 

 ed eligible as honorary, or corresponding members. 

 Meetings of the members should be holden at certain 

 periods with the view of hearing papeis read and 

 discussing tlieir contents, or other subjects. The 

 treatises, and important portions of the subsequent 

 aiscussions to be recorded and preserved, as well as 

 any communications or other writings which may 

 be forwarded to the society. A ])eriodical inter- 

 course should be established with other soci( ties of 

 the like kind, for the purpose of receiving and con- 

 veying required information or desired specimens. 

 Charges levied on members should be proportioned 

 only to the bare exigencies of the establishment. A 

 Museum, consisting of gifts or loans to the society 



