xviii MEMOIR. 



of nature as his visit to Cincinnati, soon after 

 leaving college. The fossiliferoiis rocks of that 

 region could not but attract his attention ; and 

 during his stay there, he spent most of his hours, 

 so far as his strength admitted, in lying upon the 

 rocks, and in chiselling out the fossil remains. 

 Most of the Silurian fossils now belonging to the 

 Natural History Society, were obtained by him at 

 that time. His first visit to Europe contributed 

 greatly to foster and enlarge the taste already 

 formed for Natural Science ; and he availed him- 

 self of the opportunity to procure many shells 

 from the Mediterranean, and many valuable min- 

 erals. 



In February, 1830, there was a meeting of 

 gentlemen, which resulted in the formation of the 

 Boston Society of Natural History. Dr. Binney 

 was one of the number, and was appointed one 

 of a committee of five to recommend measures 

 for its organization, and the best means of inter- 

 esting the public in its favor. In connection 

 with the late Simon E. Greene, Esq., he under- 

 took to call on gentlemen likely to be favorable 

 to the proposed objects of the Society, and 

 obtain their cooperation. At a subsequent 

 naeeting, he was appointed on the committee to 



