146 TRANS. OF THE ACAD. OF SCIENCE. 



lovers of natural history and the cultivators of the natural sciences in this 

 great valley. But in order to secure to it more fully this prominence and 

 utility, and furnish our own members all the advantages possessed by the 

 older institutions of Europe and this country, it is essentially requisite 

 that we should add to these contributions an extensive library embracing 

 an extended series of works upon all the branches of natural history and 

 the natural sciences, each as complete as possible in its connections. 

 Such a library would soon form a shrine at which many a Parian would 

 bow in humble adoration in his search for more light. But such a library 

 would cost several thousand dollars, and in our present condition it can 

 scarcely be hoped that by our united labors we shall be able to secure a 

 fund adequate to the purpose. The cause of science is the cause of hu- 

 manity, and it was in this relation that we fondly expected that some 

 philanthropic benefactor, capable of tracing out how far the aid of sci- 

 ence contributes to the progress, the refinement, the well-being and the 

 happiness of our race, seeing our necessity, would come to our relief. 

 Such a mind could readily appreciate the difficulties and embarrassments 

 under which we labor in these comparative wilds of the West. 



Remote as we are from the well stocked libraries of the old world, or 

 thos-e of our own country, which form the storehouses of the treasured 

 experience and wisdom of the past, with no Ariadne threads to lead us 

 through the tangled labyrinths into which our desire to advance the pro- 

 gress of human knowledge, or innate love or devotion to science, too often 

 lead us, how are we to give efficiency to our labors, or render them avail- 

 able to the great cause of human progress? Is it not obvious that in 

 these fresh and comparatively untrodden wilds, where the advance of civ- 

 ilization has not yet blotted out the diversified manifestations or the beau- 

 tiful forms of Creative Wisdom, that much could be accomplished ? 

 Would not our labors be more cheeiful, more eneigized, and our work 

 more successful, had we but such advantages? In their absence, I hope, 

 however, that we will not relax our efforts and become discouraged. We 

 can even without them gather a few pebbles from the great sea shore to 

 aid in the construction of the great temple. 



In this connection, I must be permitted to say, that I had earnestly 

 hoped that some of our younger members would have ere this become deep- 

 ly imbued with a desire to aid us in our labors by studying thoroughly some 

 specialities in science. The want of a complete library and a well ar- 

 ranged museum have no doubt, with many, constituted prominent causes 

 of discouragement. A noble ambition, a cultivation of a taste for such 

 pursuits, and untiring industry, would in a measure overcome these diffi- 

 culties, and endow them with power to win many a laurel and to enshrine 

 themselves in the grateful memory of the world. Many of the older mem- 

 bers, who take an active part in the labors before us, must before many 

 yeais pass away and give place to those who are more fresh and vigorous. 

 What then shall become of the interests of our flourishing Institution if 

 their successors are not ready to buckle their whole armor on, and do 

 battle in so glorious and so noble a cause? What occupation in life can 

 yield a purer, a more elevating or refining influence than the unfolding of 

 the mysteries of nature in all its beauty, in all its glory, and in all its 

 sublimity? and what can more dignify and ennoble human nature than 

 scanning with subdued reverence the well written lessons of wisdom 

 which lead from nature up to nature's God? 



The following summary will exhibit the number of memoirs presented 

 and referred to the Publishing Committee, and the contributions to the 

 museum, for the past year : 



Report on the Meteorology of 1859; by George Engelmann, M.D. 



A new species of Platycrinus and other fossils from the mountain lime- 

 stone of Illinois and Iowa ; by A. H. Worthen, State Geologist of Illinois. 



A Review of some points in Dr. B. F. Shumard's Report of the Geol- 

 ogy of Ste. Genevieve County, Mo.; by A. H. Worthen, State Geologist 

 of Illinois. 



