174 Review. 



contemplation, and happiness ; in this peaceful empire, 

 extending widely westward from the shores of the At- 

 lantic to the vast regions that are washed by the Missi- 

 sippi, the Missouri, and their streams ; and southward 

 from the confines of Superior, and Ontario, to the bor- 

 ders of the countries of the people of Florida and Ana- 

 huac; — how vast, how new, how felicitous, is the field 

 for observation ! O let us not supinely pass our time, 

 without calling into view the treasures of this world ! 

 And excuse my selfishness, if I urge you to make haste, 

 that I, before my course is run, may know, through 

 your labours, at least a part of what is to be learned of 

 the natural history of these regions : that I may know, 

 that my fire is not too weak to animate some of you to 

 these glorious pursuits of intelligence. 



" I call upon you, again, to labour for the support, 

 the respectability, and the importance, of our infant 

 institution. Some of you are soon to fix yourselves in 

 the most opposite regions of North- America ; while 

 others of you are called by your profession, or urged 

 by your intrepid zeal, into the distant countries of China, 

 of Java, or of Hindustan. Remember, wherever you 

 may be, the Philadelphia Linnean Society. Remem- 

 ber this seat of your intellectual happiness. In answer 

 to those who may whisper to you, that the study of 

 natural history is incompatible with the regular pursuit 

 of your profession, tell them, and tell them again, that 

 in all countries, some of the greatest naturalists have 

 been physicians ; and not merely physicians, but some 

 of the most eminent clinical practitioners. Need I 



