ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 71 



Sciences of Philadelphia to languish for the want of a sum of 

 money, less than is sometimes expended in preparing an ephe- 

 meral pageant of welcome to a stranger, or to secure the election 

 of a political aspirant to some office of two or three years' tenure. 



There is enough in the past history of the Academy and 

 in its present condition, imperfect as it is, to encourage all to 

 labor industriously in the cause of science. Even in its earlier 

 years, it had won the respect of the government of the United 

 States. Its archives show that members of the Cabinet at Wash- 

 ington officially invited and accepted suggestions from the Aca- 

 demy, in planning Major Long's expedition to the Rocky Moun- 

 tains, and the South Sea Exploring Expedition, under the direc- 

 tion of Commander Wilkes of the Navy. Members of the 

 Institution accompanied both expeditions ; and by their labors 

 rendered the result more valuable and useful to the country than 

 they could have been without the assistance of naturalists. 



Our efforts in behalf of the Academy are contributions to the 

 cause of American science, the advance of which must benefit 

 our city, our State, and the whole Union. An example of in- 

 dustry now may stimulate those who succeed us here, to perform 

 what will reflect back credit upon us, though we gain none for 

 ourselves. Let us continue what has been so well begun, and 

 endeavor, each and all of us, to contribute something towards 

 the increase and diffusion of knowledge. Our fellow citizens, 

 seeing us in earnest at our work, will not fail to foster and 

 encourage labors which have for their object the common interests 

 of the people. They may be assured that our Institution, 

 humble as it is, has contributed towards our national respecta- 

 bility abroad ; if they should doubt it, show them how our museum 

 and library assisted our fellow-members, Say, Godman, Harlan, 

 Morton, and others, in acquiring such an eminent degree of 

 learning as has made their names, and consequently that of their 

 country, familiar wherever knowledge is respected. 



Our Institution constitutes a record of the munificence, and 

 liberality, and industry, of individuals, who desire to see the 

 laws of nature ascertained and made manifest to all ; a record 

 upon which every citizen may inscribe his name by contributing 

 to the advancement of human knowledge in any, or in all the 

 branches of natural science. The museum, the library, the 

 treasury, are all open to acts of liberality. The scope of the 

 Institution embraces the establishment of free lectures, whenever 



