318 STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 
the expense of publishing Transactions at our “ own 
charges,” and thereby either involve the society in 
debt, or render it necessary to increase the sub- 
scription. As we have ventured to express our 
opinion upon this and other matters relative to the 
society elsewhere, it will be only necessary here to 
observe, that nearly all the entomologists of this 
country are among the members. Donations of 
books and specimens are sent from all quarters, so 
that a very good foundation already exists both for 
a library and museum. ‘These are opened for in- 
spection and use, unshackled by the official forms 
and delays so much complained of elsewhere. Oral 
discussions succeed the reading of more scientific 
information. Specimens of new or interesting sub- 
jects are exhibited and commented upon; and no 
mismanagement, as yet, has occasioned feuds or dis- 
sensions. Long may this state of things continue! 
(224.) The chief of those societies established 
beyond the metropolis is the Philosophical Society of 
Cambridge, founded at that seat of learning about 
1820, and incorporated by royal charter in the year 
1832. It is not merely composed, as at first might be 
imagined, of the learned members of that university, 
but ranks among its fellows many of the most distin- 
guished philosophers of Europe. The volumes of its 
Transactions, which have hitherto been given to the 
world, are second to none, published in this country, 
in the importance or the interest of their contents. 
Natural history essays, which at first were but thinly 
scattered, have increased in number in every suc- 
ceeding volume ; while the establishment of a museum 
and library, continually augmenting both by pur- 
fs 
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