fi g A NOTICE OF THE 



the north-west corner of Broad and George Street for the sum of 

 mm, and on the 25th of May, the corner stone of the pre- 

 sent' edifice was laid with the usual ceremonies. On the occa- 

 on Professor Walter B. Johnson delivered an eloquent and 

 appropriate address, which was published by order of the Society 

 The value of the premises at the corner of Twelfth and George 

 Streets had appreciated very much, but the means of erecting this 

 hall were chiefly derived from William Maclure who subscribed 

 towards this desirable object twenty thousand dollars. Seven- 

 teen thousand dollars were reserved as a building fund, which 

 was largely augmented by liberal donations from members and 

 others interested in the cause of science. 



The Society held its first meeting in this hall, on the 7th ol 

 February, 1840, and from that date to the present the prosperity 

 of the Academy has continued. At no period of its history has 

 its progress been more rapid than during the past ten years; but 

 still the work is incomplete, and demands now greater exertions 

 and more encouragement from the friends of natural science to 

 extend its usefulness. Although the building was enlarged in 

 1847, as already stated, at the expense of Dr. T. B. Wilson, there 

 is not now sufficient space in it for the proper exhibition of the 

 Museum and Library, in both of which there are numerous defi- 

 ciencies. At this time, there is a proposition under considera- 

 tion to raise the building fifteen feet higher ; and thus obtain a 

 room one hundred and ten by forty-two feet, for the display of 

 Wilson's unrivalled collection of birds, which is now too much 

 crowded for convenient study and reference. Should the liber- 

 ality of our fellow-citizens and members enable us to make this 

 addition, we shall be, for a short time at least, better accommo- 

 dated. 



In March, 1841, the Society commenced the publication of the 

 "Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadel- 

 phia," a number being issued every two months, and furnished to 

 subscribers at one dollar a year. This periodicakcontains a record 

 of the meetings of the Academy, which are held every Tuesday 

 evening. Strangers may be present, except at the last meeting 

 in each month, which is reserved for the private business of the 

 Institution. The other or ordinary meetings are devoted to the 

 reading of scientific papers, verbal communications, the reception 

 of donations, &c. &c., all of which are appropriately stated in the 

 "Proceedings." 



