Obituary. 227 



fell on the first nine days ; three inches fell on the ninth, in less 

 than an hour, producing almost a deluge, and causing a higher 

 fresh in the Brandywine than had been for twenty-five years, 

 except the ice freshet of 1822; much grain injured by the con- 

 tinued damp weather. The first half of the month mostly cool, 

 the remainder warm, though not hot weather. Winds generally 

 light, and very changeable. Electrical clouds and thunder storms 

 frequent ; clouds nearly all electric. No easterly storms. 



OBITUARY. 

 We intended before this to have paid a passing tribute to the 

 departed worth we are now about to commemorate, and to have 

 given a more extended and biographical notice, in two of the in- 

 stances ; but we have not, even at this moment, received the de- 

 tails requisite for our purpose. The recent decease of two well 

 known friends to natural history, has reminded us of a duty, that 

 we now, imperfectly, but most sincerely, perform. 



The late Zaccheus Collins, one of the Vice Presidents of the 

 American philosophical society, was born in Philadelphia, August 

 26, 1764. He v^'as a member of the society of Friends, and mar- 

 ried January 30, 1794. Mr. Collins's devotion to the general ad- 

 vancement of science, and especially to those important branches, 

 botany, and mineralogy, — in which he was a conspicuous pro- 

 ficient, — was a leading cause of the diiTusion of that love of natu- 

 ral science, which distinguishes his native city. He has, for this 

 reason, always possessed the sincere and respectful attachment 

 of all those who have cultivated natural history. But as a citi- 

 zen, his claims to the public aflfection and confidence, rested upon a 

 broader basis : for he took an interest in every thing that affect- 

 ed the welfare of our species, and was an active and a generous 

 philanthropist. As an evidence of the universal estimation in 

 which he was held, and of the honourable tenor of his life, we 

 notice the following, from among the various benevolent and 

 learned societies of which he was a member, and the period 

 when he became their associate. 



Pennsylvania society for promoting the abolition of slavery, October 1792. 



Society for the institution and support of First day or Sunday schools, 

 March 1795. 



A life contributor to the Pennsylvania Hospital, March 1795. 



