$12 STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. ~ 
present council by presenting such a paper would 
undeceive the members, more especially as such a 
circumstance might possibly induce others to follow 
the example. 
(219.) The Linnean Society of London, founded 
by the late amiable and excellent Sir James Smith, 
is not only the oldest, but the most honourable and 
efficient, of those devoted to natural history. From 
the date of its foundation, up to the present time, 
it has annually given to the world a volume of 
papers, unequal, indeed, in their respective merits, 
as such collections must inevitably be ; but forming, 
as a whole, the most valuable collection of essays in 
this science in our language: it possesses an admir- 
able library, partly formed by donations, and partly 
by purchase. Their museum, also, although chiefly 
rich in the birds of Australia (of which they possess 
the most valuable collection in this country), is by 
no means deficient in the productions of other 
regions, and has been more particularly enriched by 
the shells and insects of Sir Joseph Banks, the 
Indian birds of General Hardwicke, and the nume- 
rous presents of their late excellent and respected 
secretary, Alexander Macleay, Esq. now (to the 
great disadvantage of the society and of science at 
large) filling an arduous and honourable situation in 
the government of New Holland. All these scientific 
treasures are thrown open to the investigation not 
only of the members, but also of the associates : 
for it is to the honour of this society that such an 
accommodation is offered to those meritorious but 
unwealthy men to whom the payment of 35/. would 
be inconvenient ; or who find it impossible to extend 
