Naiural Sciences of Philadelphia during the Year 1824. 443 



the authors retract the opinion which they had advanced con- 

 cerning the existence of the JefFersonite as a distinct species, 

 the crystals which have been found since having shown its ana- 

 logy to pyroxene. This paper contains some additional ob- 

 servations on the Frauklinite, the red zinc ore, the carbonate 

 and silicate of zinc. 



Most of the memoirs, of which we have thus attempted to 

 oiFer an abstract, have been published. These, together with 

 two papers read the preceding year, and which had not been 

 then published, have furnished abundant matter for the Journal 

 of the Academy, which has been conducted this year with more 

 activity than at any preceding period. The papers to which 

 we have alluded, are Mr. Say's " Description of the Coleo- 

 pterous Insects of the United States," and a " Notice of the dis- 

 covery of spodumen, by Mr. Nuttall." The Academy has 

 l>ublished this year two half-volumes; and a number of com- 

 munications remaift on hand, which will be put to press early 

 in the year 1825. 



There is, however, a department of science which appears 

 to be somewhat neglected among us at present ; this is Botany. 

 The valuable communications which the Journal formerly re- 

 ceived on this subject from our eminent associate Mr. Thomas 

 Nuttall, have been interrupted by his removal from this city. 



This extensive communication of scientific investigations 

 has, of course, rendered the meetings of the Academy veiy 

 attractive to its members, and even to strangers. The atten- 

 dance of the members has been greater durhig the closing year 

 that at any preceding period, and evinces a growing taste for 

 science in the community. This may also be attributed in 

 part to the system of lecturing, which has been pursued with 

 considerable regularity during the present year. Although 

 the lectures are frequendy on elementary or general subjects, 

 yet they are of use, by enlarging the views of those who have 

 already acquired proficiency in one department, or by inter- 

 esting such as have not made a regular study of any particular 

 branch of science. 



Our list of members has increased by die accession of ten 

 new associates, while three only have tendered their resigna- 

 tion. The Academy has incurred no loss by death. The 

 correspondents elected this year amount to five; one has re- 

 signed. Your secretary is not aware of any death among the 

 correspondents, though it is probable that some have taken 

 place. 



Your foreign correspondence has been greater this year tlian 



at any former period. It at present includes some of the most 



distinguished naturalists of Scotland, England, France, Cler- 



3 K 2 manv 



