Vi INTRODUCTION. 



extent, and surpasses in interest, that which they have 

 lost, whilst the cabinet contains several thousand zoolo- 

 gical, botanical, and mineralogical specimens. Every 

 week brings new accessions to both ; so that, at this 

 time the rooms of the Academy afford to the student of 

 nature a place of resort, where he may pursue his 

 favourite study with gratification as well as improve- 

 ment. 



It is not the intention of the Academy, however, to 

 confine its operations solely to the collection of natural 

 objects. The members desire to extend its sphere of 

 usefulness ; by submitting to the learned their intellec- 

 tual labours, that have heretofore been compelled to 

 seek a channel of publicity through scientific journals 

 at a distance. It is now proposed to publish from time 

 to time, a volume, or part of a volume of Transactions, 

 which will embody detailed accounts of the peculiari- 

 ties in the natural history of Maryland, new investiga- 

 tions in the physical sciences, and original essays on 

 subjects of general interest connected with them. An 

 additional incentive to exertions will in this way be 

 offered to the members; and, it is hoped, that the 

 learned world will consent to accept the offering as an 

 earnest of what is contemplated to be performed. 



To regulate as well as to facilitate the operations of 

 the Academy the members have arranged themselves 

 into sections, to which all donations according to their 

 kind are referred, and are reported upon at the time, or 

 at a succeeding meeting, by the chairman, or any other 

 member to whom the subject may by him have been 

 committed. The sections are denominated as follows : 



