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- 



