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of corresponding observations in the United States. 

 Permanent stations for this end have been established 

 by nearly all civilized nations; and not only have 

 they been extended into Asia, Africa, and America, 

 but expeditions have been undertaken to the Antarc- 

 tic seas, for the purpose of pursuing these researches. 

 Our exploring squadron was likewise furnished with 

 the necessary instruments, and our officers instructed to 

 avail themselves of every opportunity to make mag- 

 netic observations, while similar and corresponding ob- 

 servations were directed, and have been carried on, at 

 Boston and at Washington. 



We trust that the Government of the United States 

 will not withhold its further cooperation, but will en- 

 able some of its officers to carry out the views of the 

 learned societies throughout the world, and give its aid 

 to the efforts now universally making to determine, with 

 precision, the laws of terrestrial magnetism. 



The enjoyment afforded by the study of Natural His- 

 tory is exhibited in the zeal with which the naturalist 

 pursues his investigations. Poverty presents no obstacle, 

 and distance sets no bounds to his pursuits. Pestilen- 

 tial climates and the savage wilderness amidst the glare 

 of equatorial suns and the gloom of polar nights, are 

 eagerly sought and explored as fields of new discovery. 

 Toil, exposure, and physical ills in every form, are en- 

 dured without a murmur, when engaged in examining 

 the riches of nature, and when each step leads to a new 

 and high enjoyment. The pure and intellectual grati- 

 fication afforded by pursuits which tend to the progres- 

 sive development of the wonders and beauties of the 

 physical world, would seem to warrant the conclusion 



