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Introductory Remarks. 5 
to expect that he will not be sparing of his own labour, and 
that his work shall be generally marked by the impress of his 
own hand. To this extent the editor cheerfully acknowledges 
his obligations to the public ; and it will be his endeavour faith- 
fully to redeem his pledge. 
Most of the periodical works of our country have been short- 
lived. his, also, may perish in its infancy ; and if any degree 
of confidence is cherished, that it will attain a maturer age, it 
is derived from the obvious and intrinsic importance of the un- 
dertaking; from its being built upon permanent and moment- 
ous national interests; from the evidence of a decided appro- 
bation of the design, on the part of men of the first eminence, 
obtained in the progress of an extensive correspondence ; from 
assurances of support, in the way of contributions, from men 
of ability in many sections of the union; and from the exist- 
ence of such a crisis in the affairs of this country and of the 
world, as appears peculiarly auspicious to the success of every 
wise and good undertaking. 
As regards the subjects of the contemplated work, it is in 
our power to do much in the department of the natural history 
of this country. Our Zoology has been more fully investiga- 
ted than our mineralogy and botany; but neither department 
is in danger of being exhausted. The interesting travels of 
Lewis and Clark have recently brought to our knowledge 
several plants and animals before unknown. Foreign natural- 
ists are frequently exploring our territory ; and for the most 
part, convey to Europe the fruits of their researches, while 
but a small part of our own productions is examined and de- 
scribed by Americans: certainly, this is little to our credit, 
and still less to our advantage. Honourable exceptions to the 
truth of this remark are furnished by the exertions of some 
gentlemen in our principal cities, and in various other parts of 
the Union.* : 
Our botany, it is true, has been extensively and successfully 
investigated ; but this field is still rich, and rewards every 
* The efforts of Stephen Elliot, Esq. of South Carolina, in regard to the 
botany of the Southern States, are particularly worthy of imitation and 
praise. 
