127 
XXIII. 
MINERALOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, MADE IN THE ENVIRONS OF 
BOSTON, IN THE YEARS 1807 anp 1808. 
Lnelosed with a letter to the Hon. John Davis, Esq. F.A.A. and by: 
im communicated. 
By S. GODON, F. a. a. 
ES iF ee 
Introduction. 
A KNOWLEDGE of the physical objects, which compose the 
mineral riches of a country, is so much connected with the well-be- 
ing of the people, who live in it, that we cannot reflect, without amaze- 
ment, on the inattention to this study, which so long prevailed among 
nations in general. It is buta few years since men have begun to 
perceive its importance, and its connexion with public and private 
utility. 
One of the most happy rests of the improvement of natural his- 
tory at the end of the last century is, undoubtedly, its procuring to 
the present age the way of discriminating and describing minerals 
with exactness and perspicuity ;.so that a mineralogical description 
may circulate and be understood in the several parts of the world, 
where the language of natural sciences has penetrated. And while 
the present generation enjoys the labours of the modern naturalists, 
we indulge the comfortable hope, that the fruits of our own observa- 
tions will not be lost to posterity. . 
Few publications of this description have been yet attempted, and_ 
these have been almost entirely limited to Europe. It is to be ex- . 
pected, that the example, given by this part of the world, will be fol- 
lowed by every other enlightened people, who may begin to perceive. 
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