IreGWIte | ;)<,) [March 15, 



institutions of learning. Voluntary contributions and un- 

 paid labor can never support a museum which is rapidly 

 growing; nor do such collections fulfill their functions ex- 

 cept as appendages of Universities. They soon degenerate 

 into imperfectly classified storehouses of curiosities, occa- 

 sionally visited by students desiring to verify types which 

 have been imperfectly described. Though an investigator 

 can be assisted, I have rarely known one made by the in- 

 tlucnce of a large museum. The material is too vast for the 

 use of a beginner. 



The true life of scientific Societies resides in the zeal of 

 the members, the completeness of the library, and the facili- 

 ties afforded for publication. The objects for study lie eveiy- 

 where around us and in us ; and, as Prof. Agassiz told me, 

 many years ago, the most familiar objects, and those most 

 frequently scrutinized, will give the most important results. 



If I have correctly exposed to you some of the influences 

 which science can exert upon daily life, it is just to infer 

 that upon the results of the labors of investigators (the accu- 

 rate observers, and the correct interpreters of the phenomena 

 of the Kosmos), future generations will rely for: 



1st. The emancipation of religious teaching from the shack- 

 les of traditional superstition ; the promulgation of reason- 

 able dogma, and firmer adherence to correctly defined morals. 



2d. The reform of the practice of the law in stricter 

 accordance with the principles of substantial justice. 



3d. The rational directions of primary education, so as to 

 cultivate the observation and the judgment of the pupils. 



4th. The increase of comfort, the suppression of disease, 

 and the prolongation of life, by the natural outflow of com- 

 mercial' applications of scientific truths now, or in future, 

 within the reach of man. 



