32 



fluences to overcome, and while they are free to re- 

 ceive and ready to embrace instruction in other mat- 

 ters, there is no reason why they should not be en- 

 lightened in this. 



It is believed that the most powerful agent to effect 

 this beneficial design will be the existence of an ex- 

 tensive cabinet, at the seat of Government, of speci- 

 mens of geology and mineralogy, drawn from every 

 portion of our territory, and so arranged as to pre- 

 sent, at one view, all the mineral resources of each 

 particular State, and where these important sciences 

 may be taught by courses of lectures, which, together, 

 will form a school of mining that cannot fail to be 

 extensively useful, and lead to the early and full de- 

 velopment of this great source of individual pros- 

 perity and national wealth. 



Botany has undergone such great and important 

 changes since the close of the last century, as to alter 

 entirely the character of the science ; changes which 

 are due, in a great measure, to the improvements in 

 the construction of the microscope, to the discoveries 

 in vegetable chemistry, and to the exchange of arti- 

 ficial methods of arrangement for an extended system 

 of natural affinities. The adoption of the philosophi- 

 cal views of Gothe, together with the recognition of 

 an universal unity of design throughout the vegetable 

 world, have likewise largely contributed to give to 

 this science its present highly improved condition. 



A certain degree of knowledge in botany is de- 

 sirable to every one. It leads to a comprehension 

 of the properties and uses of the trees of our forests, 

 and teaches to distinguish wholesome from delete- 



