Academy of Natural Sciences. 89 



History was, in this country, confined to a few zealous individuals ; 

 and although several societies had heen organized lor concentrating 

 the scientific talent and enterprise of Philadelphia, their duration 

 was for the most part ephemeral. About this period Natural Histo- 

 ry received a permanent impulse from the appearance of Wilson's 

 " American Ornidiology" and from the personal exertions and pub- 

 lished tracts of Dr. Benjamin Smith Barton. Botany, so ably illus- 

 trated by tlie ardor of Dr. Muhlenberg, had many votaries at the 

 time we allude to : among the most zealous of these were Mr. Z. 

 Collins, Mr. Nutlall, the late Dr. Waterhouse,* &c. Mr. Say was 

 indefatigable in several branches 5 Mr. Ord was devoted to Zoology ; 

 Mr. Godon, Mr. Conrad and some others were active in exploring 

 the mineral resources of this vicinity ; Mr. Maclure was assiduously 

 engaged in Geology ; whilst many others, who have since become 

 distinguished for their scientific acquirements, were then just ventur- 

 ing on the threshold of inquiry. 



Most flourishing institutions have had their probationary difficulties 

 and discouragements. The Academy was for some time located in 

 a very disadvantageous situation, and may even be said to have 

 struggled for an existence. Books and collections of natural ob- 

 jects, those indispensable parts of such an establishment, accumu- 

 lated but slowly ; and money, that primum mobile of human achiev- 

 ments, was sparingly at the disposal of an embryo institution. At 

 this juncture the Academy found a truly munificent friend in Mr. 

 William Maclure. This gentleman had amassed a handsonie fortune 

 in mercantile pursuits ; and being posessed of an acute mind and ex- 

 tensive scientific acquirements, he now attached himself to the Acad- 

 emy with a zeal and liberality which have few examples on record. 

 During a protracted visit to Europe, he assiduously collected a great 

 number of scientific works v/hicli he presented to his favorite insti- 

 tution. He traversed the continent of Europe from Italy to Swe- 

 den, and in every situation found something to aid the cause of sci- 

 ence and feed the ardor of his mind. In these fruits of unwearied 

 personal industry the Academy shared largely ; and its present val- 

 uable collections may be said to have mainly originated in the con- 

 tributions of Mr. Maclure. It is but justice, however, to observe 



"* Dr. Waleihouse was llie lirst person who gave popular lectures 011 Botany ia 

 Philadelphia. 



Vol XIX.— No. L .12 



