< < 





THE LITERARY 



©If #m® MtM 9®MWm^^M 



OF THE LINN^AN ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE. 



Vol. I. NOVEMBER, 1844. No. 1. 



THE RECORD AND JOURNAL. 



The Linn.ea.v Association of Pennsylvania College having 

 determined to establisli a Journal with the title which heads this article, 

 and appointed us its editor, it becomes our duty to sketch its proposed 

 character, unfold its objects, and bespeak for it the favor and support of 

 the public whom it proposes to interest, benefit and instruct. This 

 Periodical has its origin in the wants and enterprise of the young men 

 united as active members of the Association under whose auspices it 

 appears. The Linnsean Association of Pennsylvania College was or- 

 ganized a few months since under a Constitution, one of the fundamental 

 articles of which is, in effect, that "t/s aim shall be to promote among its 

 viemhers a love of nature and an admiration for the works of God, hy 

 cultivating the study of the various branches of JYatural Science and an 

 acquaintance ivith animated nature^ and hy making collections of speci- 

 mens in these de])artments, as also in that of Antiquities, natural and 

 artificial curiosities, arid the like.'''* This, of course, involved the idea 

 .^ and necessity of a IMuseum, or Cabinets for the preservation and exhibi- 

 ^ tion of the various objects which it was proposed to collect, and, as is 

 ^ usual and natural among young men in Literary Institutions, their 

 •5^ monthly meetings were to be enlivened and made profitable by Reports, 

 "^ Discussions and Essays upon the rich and varied objects of their inquiry. 

 To aid and direct them in tlioir inquiries they naturally looked to 

 those who had more experience and had made greater progress in these 

 pursuits than themselves. They therefore solicited the countenance and 

 counsel of those who had distinguished themselves in tliese pursuits or 

 were known to be interested in them, and, I)y electing them as Hono- 

 rary Members invited their co-operation. The response which they 

 received from our scientific men in various parts of the country exceeded 

 their most sanguine expectations. The Professor of Natural History in 

 Pennsylvania College, Dr. .John Ci. MoRUis, of Baltimore, Md., gener- 

 1 1 



