PREFACE. Vv 
often expressed to the editor, that in common with the Journals 
of our Academies, it is a work of reference, mdispensable to him 
who would examine the progress of American science during the 
period which it covers. ‘That it might not be too repulsive to 
the general reader, some miscellaneous pieces have occasionally 
occupied its pages ; bu tin smaller proportion, than is com- 
mon with several of the most distinguished British Journals 
of Science. Still, the editor has been frequently solicited, both in 
public and private,* to make it more miscellaneous, that it might 
be more acceptable to the intelligent and well educated man, 
who does not cultivate science ; but he has never lost sight of his 
great object, which was to produce and concentrate original 
American effort in science, and thus he has foregone pecuniary 
returns, which by pursuing the other course, might have been 
rendered important. Others would not have him admit any 
thing that is not strictly and technically scientific; and would 
make this a journal for mere professors and amateurs ; especial- 
ly in regard to those numerous details in natural history, which, 
although important to be registered, (and which, when presented,} 
have always been recorded} in the American Journal,) can never 
exclusively occupy the pages of any such work without Peek 
the majority of readers. 
_If this is true even in Great Britain, it is still more so in this 
country ; and our scavans, unless they would be, not only the 
exclusive admirers, but the sole purchasers of their own works, 
must permit a little of the graceful drapery of general literature 
to flow around the cold statues of science. The editor of this 
Journal, strongly inclined, both from opinion and habit, to gratify 
* A celebrated. scholar, while himself an editor, advised- me, in a letter, to 
introduce into this Journal as much ‘‘ readable’? matter as possible: and there 
was, pretty early, an earnest but respectful recommendation in a Philadelphia 
288 r, that —— in imitation of the London Quarterly Journal of Sci- 
nce, &c. should be in form, inscribed among the titles of this work. 
t No anes communication oe ee: been thought worthy of admission 
into this Journal, has ever been re 
