88 Academy of Natural Sciences 





Art. XII. — Notice of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila- 

 delphia; by a Member. 



Natural History in its present state, may be compared to a 

 Temple, beautiful in its materials and proportions, yet in many parts 

 unfinished, while innumerable architects are engaged in completing 

 it. The nations of Europe vie with each other in this fascinating 

 toil ; and it may be confidently asserted that they have found in 

 America, an able coadjutor. 



What has been the result ? To say that confusion has been re- 

 stored to order, would be doing injustice to Nature : let us rather say 

 that man has at length discovered the harmony, connexion and de- 

 pendence which characterize the works of Providence j he sees that 

 every object in nature is a link in creation, and that no one thing is 

 wholly insignificant or useless. 



But Natural History, however ennobling and delightful to the mind, 

 has hitherto been retarded in this country by various adverse circum- 

 stances. It was thought to add nothing to the wealth of him who 

 pursued it ; and was too little appreciated, by the mass even of in- 

 telligent men, to secure to its cultivators that acknowledgment to 

 which they have so fair a claim. A change, however, has com- 

 menced in this particular ; and Natural History is beginning to as- 

 sume its proper place among useful sciences : the Physician and the 

 Chemist find it indispensable to their respective pursuits; the traveller, 

 by its aid, gleans instruction and amusement in the most inhospitable 

 solitudes ; it is becoming the fire-side recreation of both sexes ; 

 even the sordid man invokes its assistance ; and every one may reap 

 abundant gratification to requite him for the time and labor he may 

 bestow upon it. 



Without further preface we propose to introduce the reader to 

 some acquaintance with the "Academy of Natural Sciences of 

 Philadelphia ;" for we are aware that this institution has many mem- 

 bers both in Europe and America, whose remote situation will ren- 

 der the following details doubly interesting ; while they will be more 

 or less gratifying to every friend of science. 



The Academy originated on the 25th of January, 1812 ; at which 

 time a few gentlemen, (among whom was Mr. Thomas Say,) resolv- 

 ed to meet once in every week for the purpose of receiving and im- 

 parting information. Even at that late period the study of Natural 



