SECRETARY'S REPORT. Ill 



Messrs. Curtis & Cobb, for specimens of California wheat, and 

 the wood, cone, and branch of sequoia g-ig-antea, of California ; 

 to John Brooks, Jr., Esq., for samples of wood from thirteen 

 different States ; to J. H. Carey, for skin pouch prepared by 

 the Indians, and cane brake from the Mississippi River ; to 

 Charles K. Willis, for four specimens of Indian arrow heads ; 

 to H. B. Bishop, for skin of a rattlesnake killed in Texas ; to 

 Mr. Cunningham, for prepared strawberries from Valparaiso. 



It is the design to make a complete collection illustrating the 

 natural history of the State, and the aid of all public spirited 

 individuals is solicited in building up a State Cabinet which 

 shall do honor to the Commonwealth, and be a means of increas- 

 ing the public taste for these fascinating pursuits. 



The study of natural history, whether followed as an occupa- 

 tion or as an amusement, does much to cultivate that gentle- 

 ness, refinement and virtue of chai'acter which is the fittest 

 ornament of every age and condition of life. It is not only an 

 important branch of knowledge in itself, but it opens the door 

 to many other branches of knowledge, and no education ought 

 to be considered as at all complete that does not furnish the 

 means of careful and intelligent observation of the works and 

 mysteries of nature to every diligent student. Especially is a 

 knowledge of the natural history of one's own region and of 

 the olyects with which he comes in frequent contact, important 

 and useful, even in a practical point of view, to every member 

 of the community. It is desirable also to make a collection 

 which will illustrate the past and present condition of the agri- 

 ciilture of the Commonwealth, and relics of the implements 

 used at a former period of our history should be studiously 

 collected and preserved, since the time will soon come when it 

 will be wholly impossible to make such a collection. It is 

 eminently proper, therefore, that the State should undertake to 

 do what individuals have neglected, and show to the eye of 

 every beholder, far better than any language can express, what 

 progress has actually been made in the practical arts of life. 



The past year has been one of more than usual prosperity 

 with most of the agricultural societies of the State. The exhi- 

 bitions drew together large bodies of people, and the county 

 fairs all over the State may be regarded as the great festivals 



