been interrupted ; and, hence, the present volume — 

 (which has been published by the subscription of a 

 few members and others, a subscription so limited as to 

 have rendered it indispensably necessary to abridge the 

 publication within the narrowest possible compass,) — 

 instead of presenting, in the usual form, the proceedings 

 of the Institute ; — gives a mere and meager abstract of 

 a voluminous and valuable correspondence, and an im- 

 perfect account of donations and contributions to its 

 library and cabinet. ^ 



Washington, JVovember 25, 1846. 



