204 , Miscellanies. 
‘Treasurer—Witi14M Stone. 
Secretaries—Francis Markor, dak Cor, Seoasinan, Paces Tow. 
SON, Rec. Secretary. 
A-very able discourse was delivered before the Secasinsesions by. sd ie. 
Joel R. Poinsett, at the first anniversary. 
' He states that the Institution “embraces every branch of Enowledued 
Iti is divided under the following sections, namely : Astronomy, Geogra- 
phy and Natural Philosophy, Natural History, Geology and Mineralogy, 
Chemistry, the application of Science to the Useful Arts, Agriculture, 
American History and Antiquities, and Literature and the Fine Arts. 
Gratuitous lectures to be given by eminent men. Collections of objets 
of natural history and of documentary information to be made from, 
quarters of this country, and of specimens from all foreign countries. 
— to ne made to rear a ancl nt cain which would be of. erent: ie 
portan: 
* "The oi snaine nies noite eeturhed ri means have brought with 
them many specimens of iron ores used in foreign foundries, and those of 
the United States will be obtained and brought into. comparison. The 
South Polar Exploring Expedition have already sent home one hundred 
and fifty boxes of specimens, which are stored away until a proper sake 
ing can be provided to receive them. ~ 
Mr. Alexander Maclure, of New Harmony, Tein a5 has. offered a 
of geological specimens from the cabinet of his late brother, Wiliam 
Maclure, the pioneer of American geology, the munificent patron of the 
Academy of Natural Sciences at i Pisislelphia, and of many other cased 
tions, recently deceased in Mexico. 
‘The Institution has issued seachniel bulletin of poscding fom. Sane 
ie Decieaban ‘Several of the sections are organized, be with 
able men. (We hope they will prove workers, as no peo Bo 
without impulse.) .Many donations ate announced of minerals, books, 
documents, 1 saaipes curiosities, works of art, é&c. ;—and examinations of, f, and 
reports on various s¢ subjects are suggested and ed 
jected. 
The balks contains a pais from she ain aad Mr. Duponeeau of 
o- proepetts and interests of the society ; ‘it is —— wise and kind, 
There are instructive. letters. also. from, other eta individuals at 
home and | abroad—eopious extracts from the admirable discourse of Mr. 
views 5 a knowledge, with. the 
‘Dest -spirit ; a extended “communications from Captain “George | W. 
28, of the corps of topographical engineers, containing very instruc: 
the and important ations, sis the mines "scan a 
