PREFACE. 



often expressed to the editor, that in common with the Journals 

 of our Academies, it is a work of reference, indispensable to him 

 who would examine the progress of American science during the 

 period which it covers. That it might not be too repulsive to 

 the general reader, some miscellaneous pieces have occasionally 

 occupied its pages ; bu tin smaller proportion, than is com- 

 mon witli several of the most distinguished British Journals 

 of Science. Still, the editor has been frequently solicited, both in 

 public and private,* to make it more miscellaneous, that it might 

 be more acceptable to the intelligent and well educated man, 

 who does not cultivate science ; but he has never lost sight of his 

 great object, which was to produce and concentrate original 

 American effort in science, and thus he has foregone pecuniary 

 returns, which by pursuing the other course, might have been 

 rendered important. Others would not have him admit any 

 thing that is not strictly and technically scientific ; and would 

 make this a journal for mere professors and amateurs ; especial- 

 ly in regard to those numerous details in natural history, which, 

 although important to be registered, (and which, when presented,j- 

 have always been recorded in the American Journal,) can never 

 exclusively occupy the pages of any such work without repelling 

 the majority of readers. 



If this is true even in Great Britain, it is still more so in this 

 country ; and our sqavans, unless they would be, not only the 

 exclusive admirers, but the sole purchasers of their own works, 

 must permit a little of the graceful drapery of general literature 

 to flow around the cold statues of science. The editor of this 

 Journal, strongly inclined, both from opinion and habit, to gratify 



•* A celebrated scholar, while himself an editor, advised me, in a letter, to 

 introduce into this Journal as much " readable" matter as possible : and there 

 was, pretty early, an earnest but respectful recommendation in a Philadelphia 

 paper, that Literature, in imitation of the London Quarterly Journal of Sci- 

 ence, &c. should be in form, inscribed among the titles of this work. 



t No scientific communication that has been thought worthy of admission 

 into this Journal, has ever been rei'uscd. 



