MEMOIR or THOMAS SAT, 



shells, a dried toad fish and a stuffed monkey : a display of 

 objects of science calculated rather to excite merriment than 

 to procure respect, but which, in the end, proved to be the 

 nucleus of one of the most beautiful and valuable collections 

 in the United States. 



In the year 1817, the Academy of Natural Sciences, hav- 

 ing had the good fortune to associate to itself some gentle- 

 men of acquirements and respectability, was induced, at the 

 earnest solicitation of its President, William Maclure, Esq,, 

 to undertake the publication of a Journal, chiefly for the 

 purpose of recording discoveries, remarkable facts, and ob- 

 servations, in natural history. This Journal, which, at the 

 date of this memoir*, has reached its thirteenth half volume, is 

 a record of no ordinary value ; and we hazard nothing in pre- 

 dicting that it is destined to a long life. 



In the Academy's Journal Mr, Say, I believe, first made 

 his appearance as an author. He had, previously, read 

 some papers to the Society, more with a view of adding 

 interest to its meetings, than of giving publicity to his dis- 

 coveries ; but now that an appropriate vehicle of publication 

 was afi-orded him, he devoted himself with increased ardour 

 to his pursuits, with what success those only who are con- 

 versant in these matters can truly estimate. 



We have spoken of Mr. Say's first appearance in print. 

 It seems necessary to state, that some years antecedently 

 he issued proposals for a History of the Insects of the 

 United States ; but so slender was the interest which works 

 on natm-al history excited at that day, that the project 

 was abandoned, although our zealous young naturalist had 

 been stimulated to it by the encouraging encomiums, and 

 the promise of assistance, of 'his friend, Alexander Wilson 

 whose Ornithology was then in the course of publication. ' 



In the commencement of the year 1818 Mr Say 

 together with the President of the Academy of Natural 

 Sciences, and two other members, visited the Sea Islands 

 and adjacent coast of Georgia, and penetrated into East 



* At the present time the publications of the Academy form 8 vols 

 8vo and 3 vols. 4to of the Journal, and 10 vols, of Proceedings.-LEc. ' 



