A PHILOSOPHICAL DISCOURSE. 13 
own. It is apprehended, however, that gentlemen of ingenui- 
ty and obfervation, have noticed and defcribed many of them : 
-and that their fevéral defcriptions and collections, brought into 
--one ftock, properly methodized and claífed,. would make a re. 
fpectable figure ; and encourage further examinations and re- 
fearches, in order to our obtaining an extenfive, and well-di- 
gefted body of American natural hiftory. Fora purpofe fo be- 
neficial in itfelf, and fo honorary to our country, it is hoped, fuch- 
gentlemen will favour the Academy with their defcriptions and. 
collections ;. and alfo with the refult of their future refearches, , 
.. relative to the fame fubjec.. 
"Thefe general obfervations, and fatticalarly thofe concerning’ 
man, and -— effects of climate, with the exception of fome few. 
| come under iens USE and: are c includ-. 
Xam a as PE k ec z : 
ae a ie futt 
Ws xa Pu d e" DUE jee d 
d sd Dy CS in part: 
with the doctrine of the celebrated Montefyuiew. T So far asit: 
differs from him, it may need apology: but it is fubmitted to: 
your candour, ju as it ftood written n betore. I had confulted him: 
on that fubje&. : | 
To thefe curfory obfervations on D fubje& of; antiquities and: i 
natural hiftory, I muft here put an end, as I fhall ftand in need 
of the remains of your patience and candour, while I make afew - 
obfervations of a different kind :: which, though not neceffarily 
connected with the fubje&ts,. that fall under the: ‘confideration of 
the Academy, will not be deemed i impertinent, or unfuitable tọ- 
this occafion.. 
"he inftituting of this fociety, and the — there was,- - 
Wan it fhould be a by fuch an inftitution as Harvard's, 
naturally’ 
* Seea egest marginal note, 
