200 PROCEEDINGS OF THE MALACOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



my own life, and landed near New London, in Connecticut. . . This 

 dreadful misfortune has not, however, impaired my zeal ; I am 

 determined to begin again my labours. . . Such a circumstance 

 gives me a. claim to your support ; indeed, in the destitute state in 

 which I have been left I must crave it. . . Allow me to state that 

 I mean to reside in Philadelphia, but to employ part of this and next 

 year in travelling to collect a new extensive American herbarium, 

 etc., which will enable me to begin useful exchanges. I shall there- 

 fore delay my publications till next year. . . Gentlemen in all parts 

 of the world ! If we are already united by a mutual love of nature, 

 and pure zeal for the investigation of the wide fields of natural 

 sciences, let us strengthen the ties of our union by a friendly inter- 

 course and beneficial exchange of labours, knowledge, and discoveries: 

 I tender you the invitation, in full hope of meeting a suitable return 

 on yoiir side ; I have not said all I might on the subject, but if our 

 pursuits are similar, we shall understand each other, and you may 

 easily supply all my omissions, by fancying yourself in my situation, 

 and remembering that I unite to the most glowing ardour for the 

 knowledge of nature, the most ardent desire to promote its study, 

 by all the means in my power. Believe me, therefore, forever, your 

 sincere well-wisher, constant friend, and fellow admirer of nature. 

 C. S. Rafinesque." 



This address covers six and a half pages, with very full instructions 

 as to wants, etc., and is a delightful production. It is followed by 

 a series of " Notes ", which are important, and from which I extract 

 the following items : "1. I will add a list of all my works and tracts, 

 for the information of those who are not yet acquainted with any 

 or the whole. . . 2. Analyse de la Nature. This work is the outline 

 of a larger one on the plan of the Systema Natures of Linnaeus, 

 which will be gradually undertaken at a future period. . . 3. The 

 following are the names of the principal manuscripts I had nearly 

 ready for the press, and which were lost in my shipwreck. . ." Then 

 follows the prospectus of the " Annals of Nature, or Repository of 

 Natural Sciences, particularly Botany, Geology, Mineralogy, and 

 Geognosy." " This periodical work will come out in numbers, once 

 every season : in Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Four numbers 

 shall complete one year and one volume. . . Each number shall 

 contain from 60 to 100 pages, in 8vo, and sometimes one plate. 

 The subscription shall be $2 per annum." The most interesting item 

 then follows, the prospectus of the " Somiology of North America, 

 including the Flora and Fauna, or the Botany and Zoology of the 

 United States of America and the Adjacent Countries. Zele et 

 Perseverance. C. S. Eafinesque will attempt to carry into execution 

 an undertaking . . . respecting the Plants and Animals of the United 

 States, or North America in general . . . the adoption of the 8vo 

 size, and the figures engraved on wood . . . The outlines of this 

 plan are as follow : Every specie of Plant and Animal will be drawn 



