218 ORGANIZATION OF LOCAL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 



the proceedings on the occasion ia question. First a. number of miner- 

 alogical specimens were presented and described, next a short iiaper 

 was given on the local geology of the vicinity, and then a brief lecture 

 on astrology, in which the process of casting nativities was described. 

 This last subject, which, on first thought, might appear beyond the 

 capacity of the majority of an ordinary audience, proved to be a source 

 of interesting remarks, in which nearly all participated. This arose 

 from the fact that astrological ideas and usages survive in modern civil- 

 ization, and each one was enabled to give an example of ideas and usages- 

 still existing in different parts of the country, as to the influence of the 

 moon in various processes of agriculture, on disease, and even in relation 

 to the survival of astrology in our language, and general superstitions. 



" The farmer should be encouraged to bring to the meeting specimens- 

 of the various botanical productions which he meets in with agricul- 

 tural operations, as well as specimens of the different soils of which his 

 farm is composed. These should be referred to a committee, and their 

 names and peculiarities given at a subsequent meeting. If a plant or 

 a mineral or an animal is unknown to any member of the association 

 a specimen of it may be sent to this Institution, where it will be ex- 

 amined, and, after being properly labeled, returned. 



" The mechanic should be encouraged to give accounts of the processes 

 which he employs, or of any facts which he may have observed of special 

 interest in the course of his operations. 



" In short, all the members should be induced to observe, and also be 

 instructed as to the method of observation. It is of vast importance to 

 an individual that he be awakened to the consciousness of living in a uni- 

 verse of most interesting phenomena, and that one very great difference 

 between individuals is that of eyes and no eyes. 



"What I have said relates to the uses of a local society in the improve- 

 ment of its members; but the imi)ortance of an establishment of this 

 kind should not bo confined to the mere diffusion of knowledge. It 

 should endeavor to admnce science by co-operating with other societies 

 in the institution and encouragement of original research. Thus it 

 can make collections of the flora and fauna, of the fossils, rocks, min- 

 erals, «&c., of a given region, of which the location of the society is the 

 center, and thereby contribute essentially to the knowledge of the gen- 

 eral natural history of the continent. It can also make explorations of 

 ancient remains and collect and jireserve the specimens of the stone-age, 

 which still exist in many parts of our country, and to which so much 

 interest is at present attached. Further, it can induce its members to 

 make records of meteorological phenomena, many of which, of great 

 interest, can be made without instruments, such as the times of the 

 beginning and ending of storms, the direction of the wind, the first and 

 last frost, the time of sowing and harvesting, he appearance and dis- 

 appearance of birds of certain kinds, the time of the blossoming and 

 ripening of various fruits, &c. ; and, as soon as the means of the 



