146 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



manifestation made by Mr. Cummings of his intention to afford an opportunity to the 

 teachers of Boston to become acquainted with natural history. His mind had for some 

 time dwelt upon a plan by which the public might possess a better scientific culture than 

 hitherto, and thus share in its refining influences. The general lectures delivered each 

 winter, though undoubtedly of great service to many, seemed to him to accomplish but 

 inadequately the object he had in view. He finally came to the conclusion that by inter- 

 esting the teachers in the several branches of science, and by affording them an oppor- 

 tunity of receiving practical instruction, better and more lasting results might follow than 

 from any other course. Possessing themselves a knowledge of botany, of mineralogy, or 

 of any other branch, they could not fliil to exert a great influence upon the many thous- 

 and minds that came under their instruction, in fovor of its study, and thus another gen- 

 eration be led to show greater interest in pursuits of an elevating tendency. The mem- 

 bers of the committee other than Mr. Cummings himself, feeling a great interest in the 

 proposed plan, early issued a circular to the teachers, calling attention to the generous 

 proposal made by him, and invited their co-operation. A committee on the part of the 

 masters of the Grammar Schools was appointed to learn the feelings of the teachers gen- 

 erally on the matter, and to report results. The circular referred to, after mentioning the 

 proposal of the donor, stated that teachers of every grade were invited ; that the lectures 

 would be given on Wednesday or Saturday afternoons, as the teachers might decide, com- 

 mencing in October and continuing through the winter at the Museum of Natural 

 History; that the earlier courses would be on Physical Geography, Botany and Geol- 

 ogy, and that they would be given by Professors familiar with the object method of teach- 

 ing and skillful in the use of chalk ; that it was designed that the lectures should be 

 practical and familiar, questions and answers to be allowed, and the whole subject slowly 

 developed ; that the Professors were anxious to know how large classes they could rely 

 upon before leaving the Museum for summer work, and therefore asked all teachers 

 who desired to avail themselves of the offer to sign the circular. 



It was o-ratifying to find that the movement excited great interest on the part of those 

 to whom it was addressed, manifested by the prompt signing of the circular by upwards 

 of seven hundred teachers. The great success which followed this preliminary action will 

 be given in the account of proceedings hereafter. 



In March of this year, a bequest of one thousand dollars was received from the late Mr. 

 Sidney Homer for the general purposes of the Society. The Council subsequently voted 

 to appropriate the amount for New England mammals. 



The assistant in the Museum, Mr. Sanborn, was authorized to devote two mornings each 

 week to giving instruction at the Bussey School of Agriculture, upon his consenting to 

 have his salary reduced, and Mr. P. S. Sprague was employed to work in the collection of 

 Insects. 



At the annual meeting in May, the Custodian read his report for the year. Much of it 

 was devoted to general considerations concerning the objects of the policy of the Society 

 which, having been referred to earlier, will not be dwelt upon liere. Of the meetings, it was 

 stated that there had been eighteen of the Society, with an average attendance of forty- 

 one persons, eight of the section of Microscopy with an average attendance of eleven, and 



