PREFACE. 



When tliis Journal was first projected, very few believed 

 that it would succeed. 



Among others, Dr. Dorsey* wrote to the editor ; / predict 

 a short life for you, although I wish, as the Spaniards say, that 

 you may live a thousand years. The work has not lived a thou- 

 sand years, but as it has survived more than the hundredth part 

 of that period, no reason is apparent why it may not continue to 

 exist. To the contributors, disinterested and arduous as have 

 been their exertions, the editor's warmest thanks are due ; and 

 they are equally rendered to numerous personal friends for their 

 imwavering support : nor ought those subscribers to be forgotten 

 who, occupied in the common pursuits of life, have aided, by 

 their money, in sustaining the hazardous JVovelty of an Ameri- 

 can Journal of Science. A general approbation, sufficiently de- 

 cided to encourage effort, where there was no other reward, 

 has supported the editor ; but he has not been inattentive to the 

 voice of criticism, whether it has reached him in the tones of 

 candor and kindness, or in those of severity. We must not 

 look to our friends for the full picture of our faults. He is un- 

 wise who neglects the maxim — 



fas est ab hoste doceri, 



and we may be sure, that those are quite in earnest, whose 

 pleasure it is, to place faults in a strong light and bold relief; 

 and to throw excellencies into tlie shadow of total eclipse. 



* The late lamented professor of Anatomy ia the University of Pennsyl- 

 vania. 



/r//^/" 



