name of the Parker Fund. In addition to the benefit which 

 we derive, immediately, from this opportune and judicious be- 

 quest, which was not suggested by any one connected with 

 the Society, but, on the contrary, was the spontaneous result 

 of a wish to do good, I consider that we have a higher ad- 

 vantage presented to us, in prospect, by the evidence which 

 this event affords of the estimation in which the Society is 

 held, by gentlemen of liberal and enlightened views, and that 

 we may look upon it, as an earnest of the aid we shall occa- 

 sionally receive from persons of a similar character. Mr. 

 Parker was never a member of this Society. He had only 

 a general acquaintance with its scope and objects, and these 

 he considered to be entitled to his approbation. It is gratify- 

 ing to us, that this bequest was one of a class eminently 

 characterized by good judgment in the selection of the ob- 

 jects, and by usefulness to the parties benefited. The Soci- 

 ety will ever remember the name of Mr. Parker, among the 

 first of its friends and benefactors. The other event, alluded 

 to, is, an important donation of valuable books, relating to 

 botany and other branches of natural history, from Dr. Fran- 

 cis Boott, F. R. S. of London. The Society appreciates, sen- 

 sibly, this mark of confidence and interest from a gentleman, 

 particularly qualified, by the nature of his own studies, to un- 

 derstand its scientific claims and deserts, and to give that di- 

 rection to his bounty, most productive of usefulness. 



But, in particularly mentioning these most prominent in- 

 stances of liberality, I would not be understood to depreciate 

 the value of smaller donations, or the liberal intentions of their 

 donors. The Society has been constantly cheered by such 

 indications of a general wish to promote its views. Nume- 

 rous additions to the cabinet and library have been received, 

 and as the little rills which give refreshment and comfort, in 

 their course, unite to form large rivers, so the aggregate of 

 these minor contributions is, gradually, forming collections of 

 great scientific value and interest. I may remark, here, that 



