34 INTRODUCTION. 



between the years 1812 and 1820, devoted to the cul- 

 tivation of Natural History. Some of these could not 

 sustain themselves, and became extinct ; but others 

 were more successful, and have continued, with various 

 prosperity, to the present time. These, together with 

 societies estabhshed in the interval, have exercised, and 

 yet maintain, an important influence on the public mind. 

 Throvigh their efforts, scientific infonnation is no longer 

 confined to the professedly scientific, but has become 

 familiar to the intelligent part of the commmiity, and 

 leisure is found by many to cultivate its various branches. 

 The public, ceasing to condemn that, the immediate util- 

 ity of which it cannot understand, now cheers, with its 

 approbation and aid, undertakings of a purely scientific 

 character ; and the government extends to them, occa- 

 sionally, an imcertain and hesitating patronage. 



The institutions referred to served as nuclei, around 

 which gathered those who were interested m zoological 

 studies ; and the investigation of the zoology of the 

 country, then but imperfectly known through the works 

 of Europeans, was soon commenced by the young 

 natiu-alists who composed them. Beyond their limits 

 there appears to have been but little enconragement for 

 such pursuits, and hence the names of nearly aU the 

 early natm-alists of the United States may be fomid 

 connected with the history of these associations. As 

 the materials collected by them acquired importance, it 

 became desirable to make them known, and the pubHca- 

 tion of their respective transactions was undertaken. 



