LECTUUE. 



NATURAL HISTOEY AS APPLIED TO FARMINa AND 



GARDENINa. 



By Rev. J. G. MORRIS, of Baltimore. 



Tlie lecturer commenced hj observing, that every American has rea- 

 son to he proud of the exploits of his countrymen in the field of natural 

 history. Extended tours have been made, and exhausting fatigues have 

 been cheerfully endured ; the most patient investigation has been insti- 

 tuted, and many magnificent works have been published. Some of 

 these equal, in splendor of pictorial illustration, those of any other 

 country, and the literary portion will favorably compare with the 

 most finished scientific compositions of the world. Audubon's great 

 works on our birds and quadrupeds was here especially cited, whilst 

 proper credit was given to other native illustrated works. The cata- 

 logue of our naturalists and their books is increasing every year, and 

 the facilities for studying the natural history of our country are rapidly 

 enlarging. 



The lecturer mentioned the names of our principal naturalists, ar- 

 ranged under each branch which they have respectively investigated, 

 including mammals, birds, reptiles, fishes, shells, crustaceans, and 

 insects. 



Whilst much has been accomplished, yet the whole field has not yet 

 been explored. Our new western territorial acquisitions almost daily 

 develop new animal treasures, and it will not be many years before 

 the energy of our students of nature will push their researches to the 

 utmost limits of our boundaries. Some interesting details were related 

 of the self-denial and perseverance of our exploring naturalists^ whose 

 adventures have an air of romance truly enchanting. 



Several of our State legislatures have made liberal appropriations 

 for geological and zoological surveys. Massachusetts and New York 

 were particularly noticed, and a description of the great works on 

 these subjects, published by them, was given. He noticed the pro- 

 posal to establish an agricultural college in a northern State some 

 time ago, in which there was to be a professor of geology, which was 

 well enough ; but the lecturer maintained, that zoology should also 

 be taught in such an institution, for the farmer should know the habits 

 and names of the various animals which are injurious to vegetation, 

 and the best method of checking the mischief done by them, as well 

 as the nature of his various soils, which geology and agricultural 

 chemistry teach. The farmer should also be acquainted with the 

 ■ grasses and forest-trees of his plantation, and thus elevate his noble 



