308 PROCEEDINGS OP PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 



presents so excellent a model of an institution for promoting a 

 knowledge of Natural History, that I consider nothing would be 

 more advantageous than that its regulations should be adopted in 

 every county in the kingdom. By forming a Natural History So- 

 ciety in every county, the interest of each county would be most 

 conveniently centered in its own institution. One room, or one 

 portion of every such institution, being devoted to the reception of 

 objects illustrative of the Natural History and Archeology of the 

 county or district, the rest might be opened to contributions illus- 

 trative of the same sciences in all parts of the globe. In this way 

 each county might possess at least one collection, in which might be 

 read the whole Natural History and part of the historical monu- 

 ments of the county ; and as duplicates became multiplied, a central 

 collection in London (in the British Museum) might present, if it 

 does not already present, a view of the natural character of the 

 whole island. Of each county a compendium of Natural History 

 might also be drawn up, full of information useful to every class of 

 the people. 



•f Donors to such a museum, although not so munificent as they 

 have proved in Worcestershire, would doubtless be found. Annual 

 subscriptions would provide for occasional and judicious purchases; 

 and, even under circumstances unfavourable to the early formation 

 of a large museum, a small and instructive collection might be form- 

 ed, which would be gradually enlarged into one of importance. The 

 founders of such institutions must not limit their views to producing 

 an immediate effect, but look forward to the results of the exertions 

 of several years. Whilst opportunities would thus be afforded of 

 estimating and improving some of the natural resources of the coun- 

 try, another very great benefit might, and doubtless would, arise in 

 some counties. In the neighbourhood of such a museum might be 

 fostered the genius of some youthful naturalist, destined still fur- 

 ther to explore some of the kingdoms of nature, and, like Cuvier, 

 w T ho began his labours with no greater advantages, to illustrate some 

 yet obseure department, to confer honour on his country, and the 

 blessing of more extended knowledge on mankind. 



" Besides providing for quarterly and annual meetings, for com- 

 munications and for regular lectures, it should be recollected that 

 Natural History has yet been very little cultivated by general stu- 

 dents in this country, and it should be a principal object in every 

 society to assist beginners. Duplicate specimens should be collected 

 whenever practicable, that one set might always be accessible to 

 the learner, who often cannot learn without touching and mi- 

 nutely examining the specimen. The most immense collections are 

 of little value when once they are considered as merely so many ob- 

 jects to be gazed at, without being studied and understood. 



" It is also exceedingly to be desired that to each specimen there 

 should be affixed its English name or familiar appellation, as well 

 as its scientific denomination. No single cause has done more to 

 repel students from different branches of natural science than the 



