36 A CENTURY OF SCIENCE 



in common with the journals of our Academies, it is a work of 

 reference, indispensable to him who would examine the progress 

 of American science during the period which it covers. That it 

 might not be too repulsive to the general reader, some miscel- 

 laneous pieces have occasionally occupied its pages; but in 

 smaller proportion, than is common with several of the most 

 distinguished British Journals of Science. 



Still, the editor has been frequently solicited, both in public 

 and private, to make it more miscellaneous, that it might be 

 more acceptable to the intelligent and well educated man, who 

 does not cultivate science ; but he has never lost sight of his 

 great object, which was to produce and concentrate original 

 American effort in science, and thus he has foregone pecuniary 

 returns, which by pursuing the other course, might have been 

 rendered important. Others would not have him admit any 

 thing that is not strictly and technically scientific; and would 

 make this journal for mere professors and amateurs ; especially 

 in regard to those numerous details in natural history, which 

 although important to be registered, (and which, when pre- 

 sented, have always been recorded in the American Journal,) 

 can never exclusively occupy the pages of any such work without 

 repelling the majority of readers. 



If this is true even in Great Britain it is still more so in this 

 country; and our savants, unless they would be, not only the 

 exclusive admirers, but the sole purchasers of their own works, 

 must permit a little of the graceful drapery of general literature 

 to flow around the cold statues of science. The editor of this 

 Journal, strongly inclined, both from opinion and habit, to 

 gratify the cultivators of science, will still do everything in his 

 power to promote its high interests, and as he hopes in a better 

 manner than heretofore; but these respectable gentlemen will 

 have the courtesy, to yield something to the reading literary, as 

 well as scientific public, and will not, we trust, be disgusted, 

 if now and then an Oasis relieves the eye, and a living stream 

 refreshes the traveller. Not being inclined to renew the abortive 

 experiment, to please every body, which has been so long 

 renowned in fable; the editor will endeavor to pursue, the 

 even tenor of his way; altogther inclined to be courteous and 

 useful to his fellow travellers, and hoping for their kindness 

 and services in return. 



The Close of the First Series. 



The " First Series," as it was henceforth to be known, 

 closed with the fiftieth volume (1847, pp. xx + 347). 

 This final volume is devoted to an exhaustive index to the 



