186 AMERICAN JOURNAL 



THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 



Those who are interested in the Natural Sciences, and we 

 are sure that all of our readers are so interested, will read the 

 following with great pleasure, and aid its object, if possible. 



"An Address : A sincere desire to learn what was known, and, if pos- 

 sible, to add to the common stock of knowledge concerning animals, plants, 

 the inorganic constituents of the earth, and the laws of the natural forces 

 under which they exist, induced a few gentlemen in this city, a little more 

 than a half century ago, to meet together weekly for mutual instruction. 

 They never supposed themselves to be learned men, but simply students or 

 seekers after knowledge. They considered the study of nature, while re- 

 leased from their avocations, a rational and profitable recreation. Slowly 

 their number increased. 



"It was determined to date the foundation of the institution March 21, 

 1812, and to name it the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadel- 

 phia 



"The society was incorporated March 24, 1817. 



"The formation of a museum and library, indispensable implements of 

 teachers as well as of learners, was begun in the earliest clays of the Acad- 

 emy, with donations of a few natural objects and of books from members, 

 each one contributing whatever he could. Both grew slowly, but with 

 gradually accelerating progress. 



"At this time the museum contains more than two hundred thousand 

 objects of interest. Very many of them cannot be properly exhibited for 

 want of space. In many respects this collection is scarcely surpassed by 

 any other of the kind in the world. There is no display of birds on this 

 Continent comparable to the Academy's, and in Europe not more than one 

 or two equal it. This superb collection is in danger of total destruction 

 from crowding, and from want of means to compensate skilled laborers to 

 keep the skins" free from corroding insects. The same remark is applicable 

 to other departments. 



"The museum is open gratuitously, on Tuesdays and Fridays, to the 

 public, from one o'clock P. M-. till sunset ; and on other week-days it is 

 resorted to for the purpose of study. Tickets of admission may be obtained 

 from any member of the institution. The visitors on the public days are 

 counted by hundreds. On the last Friday of the year just passed eleven 

 hundred were admitted. 



"The library consists of thirty thousand volumes, and contains some 

 works which are found in no other collection in the United States. It may 

 be consulted by any person introduced or accompanied by a member. It 

 is a library for reference exclusively. 



"The facilities for studying special subjects afforded by the museum and 

 library have proved invaluable to many gentlemen, now distinguished pro- 

 fessors in this and other States of the Republic, while preparing themselves 

 for the professorial career. Many are more competent teachers than they 

 could have been without the existence of this or similar institutions. 



"The Academy has educated competent naturalists, who have accom- 

 panied exploring parties sent out by the Government to ascertain the avail- 

 able natural products, mineral and vegetable, of this and of remote coun- 

 tries. Major Long's expedition to the Rocky Mountains, and the South 

 Sea exploring expedition, for example, as well as every exploring expedi- 

 tion under the auspices of the National Government, and many geological 

 surveys of States, have included members of this institution, whose observa- 

 tions have been of economic value in many respects. The geological 

 survey of California, now in progress, is conducted by members of the 

 Academy. 



"The importance of the natural sciences in a political sense is implied by 

 the fact that institutions for the cultivation of them are sustained by the 



