DR. GOULD'S REPORT. 



Boston, April 10, 1838. 



To George B. Emerson, Esq., Chairman of the Commission 

 for the Botanical and Zoological Survey of the Commomcealth : 



Dear Sir : — On receiving my appointment in June last, I com- 

 menced with redoubled effort to collect and study the animals as- 

 signed me, and which had already for a long time engaged my atten- 

 tion, viz., the Crustacea, Testacea and other Mollusca, Annelides, 

 and Radiata. So large a portion of the Animal Kingdom, inliabiting 

 even so circumscribed a field as the coast and territory of Massachu- 

 setts, would be but imperfectly examined by the entire labors of a 

 long life. Most of these animals inhabit the sea ; and consequently, 

 very kw persons ever have opportunity to examine, or even to see 

 them. As therefore very little attention has been given to them, 

 scarcely a step has been taken which has not presented something 

 before unnoticed. 



It cannot be expected, that much that is interesting can be said, 

 of an economical or commercial nature, of such objects as Lob- 

 sters, Oysters, Shells, and Worms. Being aware of this, I under- 

 took this part of the survey, on the presumption that the State 

 was desirous of contributing to general science by causing to be col- 

 lected, described, and illustrated, any objects not hitherto named ; 

 and that known species which might be discovered within the limits 

 of the Commonwealth, should be added to our very imperfect cata- 

 logue. In this view alone is an examination of these families impor- 

 tant. The scientific man alone is capable of appreciating the obser- 

 vations and discoveries made in this department. The theories of 

 the geologist, and the practice of the agriculturalist, are however, in- 

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