484 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1881. 



organisms inferior to man, fell then as now, generally speaking, 

 upon incredulous ears. They do not believe them worthy of 

 serious attention. 



The nameless author of " La Spectacle de la Nature," a work 

 which has the censor's approval, dated Paris, March 20, lt32, 

 speaking of insects, says : " If the Deity did not think it unworthy 

 of Himself to create them, is it beneath us to consider them ? 

 * * * the minutest things in nature were api)ointed to some 

 peculiar end and purpose, and the Deit}' is as conspicuous in the 

 structure of the fly's paw as He is in the bright globe of the sun 

 himself" 



No one pretends now to impugn the truth of this ancient state- 

 ment ! 



But the study of the natural sciences is no longer regarded 

 among Christian theologians and laymen of intelligence to be 

 antagonistic to the existence and growth of religious sentiment. 

 Statesmen recognize in it economic value. Governments re- 

 quire naturalists to accompan}^ all geographical explorations. 

 United States and State Geologist, Botanist, Entomologist, etc., 

 are familiar titles. Periodical publications devoted to the natural 

 sciences are numerous. To this kind of evidence of the increasing 

 popularity of scientific pursuits may be added the mulitiplication 

 of societies for their promotion in different parts of the country. 

 All of them have been formed since the Academy was founded. 

 They are all welcome co-laborers in the vast field of work, and are 

 not regarded in an}^ sense as rivals or competitors. They serve 

 to create a spirit of wholesome emulation. 



It is pleasant to suppose that the Academy has had a salutary 

 influence on the progress of the natural sciences to the degree of 

 popular favor they now possess, and that its general conduct 

 heretofore is approved. Its ways have been and are unpretentious, 

 unobtrusive. Membership in itself is not significant of any degree 

 of scientific acquirement, but only of friendliness to scientific 

 pursuits. Candidates to be inscribed on the list of its members 

 are not required to possess special qualifications. Those members 

 who avail themselves of the opportunity and appliances aflbrded 

 to study, gain knowledge and receive due credit for any good 

 work they may do. The reputation they may thus acquire is 

 reflected upon the Academy. 



On its list of members are very many who manifest their 



