OP CONCHOLOGY. 18t 



most enlightened governments of Christendom. The Jardin des Plantes 

 in Paris, the British Museum and Zoological Gardens in London, and the 

 Smithsonian Institution in Washington, bear ample testimony on this 

 point. Indeed, encouragement of the study of the natural sciences is seen 

 to be greatest in those communities which are most conspicuous for intelli- 

 gence and refinement. And is it wonderful that well-informed peoples 

 should be willing to speed on their way those who are treading paths which 

 have already led to the discovery of the modes of finding coal-basins, me- 

 tallic veins of all kinds, illumination by gas, the utilization of steam, the 

 electric telegraph, to say nothing about manufactures which have their 

 origin in truths acquired only through the study of the natural sciences ? 



"Those who immediately use the library and museum of the Academy 

 are not the sole beneficiaries of the institution. Its periodical publications, 

 the 'Journal of the Academy' and the 'Proceedings of the Academy,' 

 spread a record of its work before the world, and place it in communica- 

 tion with nearly two hundred kindred institutions, established at various 

 points in Europe, Asia, Africa and America. There is no society for the 

 cultivation of the natural sciences in the United States more respected 

 abroad than this Academy. The foreign reputation it has acquired is, in 

 some degree at least, the property of ... . the nation. 



"The beneficial influence of the Academy is not restricted to its mem- 

 bers. It is a prolific source from which usefulness flows far and wide. It 

 may be considered an exemplary institution, because its organization has 

 been imitated in various parts of our country 



" The apartment in which the meetings are held is scarcely large enough 

 for their accommodation. Public lectures on natural science, which have 

 been long in contemplation, have not been delivered by members because 

 there is no room in the hall adapted to the purpose. 



"The revenue of the Academy consists in an annual contribution from 

 each of its members, which, prior to the enhancement of the cost of fuel 

 and the price of labor, was barely suflicient for the expense of warming and 

 lighting the hall. The institution is free from debt, but its means, appli- 

 cable to other purposes than its publications, are very small. The arrange- 

 ment of the museum and library is the result of volunteer labor entirely, 

 the amount of which is not easily appreciated. 



" Such reasons, perhaps too briefly and imperfectly stated, have induced 

 the Academy to appeal to the public for pecuniary aid. A committee has 

 been appointed to solicit subscriptions to a building fund. It is earnestly 

 hoped that its members will be able to report that the generosity of our' 

 enlightened and liberal-minded citizens, largely as it has contributed to 

 various benevolent objects incident to events of the past four years, is stiU 

 large enough to foster the cultivation of the natural sciences by providing 

 means to enable the Academy to purchase a lot of ground of suitable size 

 in a convenient situation, and to erect a building in all respects adapted to 

 its purposes, and at the same time ornamental and creditable. 



"It is conjectured that not less than one hundred thousand dollars will 

 be required to accomplish the object in view. For this reason the payment 

 of subscriptions is made contingent on the whole amount being subscribed 



within the present year Even if the growth of the Academy 



is to be arrested now, as it will be if its appeal to the public shall fail, a 

 considerable increase of revenue will be necessary to preserve it, even in its 

 present condition. 



" The following resolutions were adopted at the annual meeting, Decem- 

 ber 26, 1865 :— 



'■'■Resolved, That a committee, to consist of forty members, be appointed 

 to solicit and receive subscriptions for the purpose of [purchasing a lot and] 

 erecting a new fire-proof building for the use of the Academy. 



'•" Resolved, That they shall prepare and publish a short history of the 

 Academy, its purposes, its usefulness, and its wants, and circulate the same, 

 together with forms of subscription. 



