31 



together, in order, all that is now known in each 

 department of natural history, and it would furnish a 

 ready and cheap means of keeping pace with the pro- 

 gress of discovery. Being calculated for general circu- 

 lation, large editions would be required, by which the 

 cost would be so much diminished as to bring them 

 within the reach of all who might be inclined to use 

 them. 



For persons who can devote but little tjme to the 

 subject of natural history, such manuals and journals, 

 with such collateral helps as could easily be obtained, 

 would be much more serviceable than large libraries- 

 without them. They would be always at hand, fur- 

 nishing a systematic view of the whole science ; andi 

 they might be consulted during the respites from labor,, 

 for information respecting the objects which had fallen 

 under their observation in the field. 



While revolving in my mind the plan I have faintly 

 sketched, with scarcely any hope that it would ever be- 

 realized, I was much gratified to learn, about three- 

 years ago, that the Smithsonian Institution at Wash- 

 ington was making arrangements for the publication of 

 reports of the progress of science, almost precisely o 

 the plan which had suggested itself to me. I was 

 gratified, because I knew the Institution possessed the 

 means, and, I presumed, the disposition also, to furnish 

 these reports at so cheap a rate as to place them 

 within the reach of eveiy tyro in natural history in the 

 country. Let this Institution publish manuals also, in 

 which all the important facts in the several branches 

 of natural history are carefully posted up to- the com- 

 mencement of the reports, and let these, too, be fur- 

 nished cheaply to all who will use them ; and, if I am. 



