INTRODUCTION. V 



branches of the natural sciences. In the meanwhile, 

 there was added to the cabinet an extensive series of 

 geological specimens obtained from Germany, together 

 with samples of the mineral formations occuring in this 

 state. And subsequently, a considerable number of 

 shells, recent and fossil, with numerous preserved indi- 

 viduals belonging to other departments of natural his- 

 tory, had been procured, all of which, whilst it gave 

 evidence of zeal on the part of the few active members 

 belonging to the academy, had become an object of 

 interest to the scientific traveller, and proved that the 

 natural sciences were not altogether neglected in Mary- 

 land. But in an unfortunate hour nearly the whole of 

 this valuable property was consumed by fire. 



Not discouraged by this calamity, the members of 

 the Academy, acting under the authority of a charter 

 obtained in the year 1826, have determined to re-orga- 

 nize their society. Fully persuaded of the intrinsic 

 importance of their scheme, its utility, the character it 

 it may confer upon the city, as well as the general bene- 

 fit that may accrue to the community by a co-operation 

 of efforts to promote its accomplishment, they have set 

 to work earnestly, not only to restore the Academy to 

 what it was after twelve years of existence, but to 

 re-establish it upon a basis of permanent prosperity. 

 It is with infinite pleasure, therefore, that they find it 

 in their power to announce, that in the short space ^ 

 of one year since its revival, having obtained a com- 

 modious set of apartments comprising one of large 

 dimensions, the number of iheir collaborators having 

 also greatly increased, their library already equals in 



