INTRODUCTION. 



ci: 



The first successful efforts to organize an association 

 in Baltimore, for the promotion of science and litera- 

 ture were made in the year 1822. Similar associations 

 had been previously contemplated ; some had actually 

 gone into operation, but they soon disappeared after 

 an ephemeral existence. The Maryland Academy of 

 Science and Literature was opened under more favour- 

 able auspices. A greater number of persons presented 

 themselves willing to advance by their zeal the objects 

 and the pursuits embraced within the scheme ; so that, 

 at already an early stage of its organization, by the 

 spontaneous liberality of some of its members and of 

 other gentlemen, the academy found itself in posses- 

 sion of an extensive collection of minerals, and an her- 

 barium, the nucleus of a cabinet around which new 

 materials might daily accumulate, and without which, 

 no association of like character can expect to hold 

 together, nor can in truth be said to have an existence. 



A strong appeal was then addressed to gentlemen of 

 the learned professions in the city, and throughout the 

 state, which was in some measure responded to, and 



