92 Academy of Natural Sciences. 



fine their communications as much as possible to facts,— -and by 

 abridging papers too long for publication in their original state, to 

 present the facts thus published clothed in as few words as are con- 

 sistent with perspicuous description." 



The views expressed in the preceding paragraph have been strict- 

 ly comformed to ; in consequence of which the journal continues to 

 be issued when original papers are offered, without reference to any 

 precise interval. Among the contributors to the Zoological depart- 

 ment we may mention the names of Mr. Say, Prince Charles Lu- 

 cian Bonaparte, Mr. Leseur, Mr. Ord, Dr. Harlan, Mr. Wood, Dr. 

 Green, Dr. R. Coates, Dr. S. L. Mitchill, Mr. Hentz and Dr. God- 

 man. 



The Botanical communications are chiefly from Mr. Nuttall, Mr, 

 De Schweinitz, Mr. Stephen Elliott, and Mr. S. W. Conrad. * 



In Geology and Mineralogy, many papers will be observed from 

 the pens of Mr. Maclure, Mr. Nuttall, Mr. Vanuxem, Mr. Keating, 

 Dr. Troost, Mr. J. P. Wetherill, Mr. T. Bowen, Mr. T. A. Conrad, 

 Mr. H. Seybert and Dr. S. G. Morton. 



We next propose, as a part of the task we have attempted, to of- 

 fer some brief particulars in reference to the collections of the Acade- 

 my, in the various departments of science. These collections, it is 

 obvious, will not bear a comparison with those of the great Europe- 

 an museums, many of which have been established and fostered by 

 the patronage of national governments : but we trust the reader 

 will bear in mind that the Academy has been but a few years in ex- 

 istence ; and that its present collections and other property have been 

 derived exclusively from the liberahty, talents and industry of pri- 

 vate citizens. These facts induce us to give an honest summary of 

 the Academy's collections ; not doubting that their deficiences will 

 from time to time be provided for, as heretofore, by the exertions of 

 members, and others interested in the advancement of science. 



For the piu'pose of convenience, the collection may be divided 

 into three classes: 1. Zoology; 2. Botany; 3. Geology and Min- 

 eralogy. 



Zoology. — The constant attention required by Zoological sub- 

 jects, and the space necessary to their proper exhibition, are diffi- 

 culties in the way of extensive collections which few institutions can 

 provide for. Hence the Academy has but recently attempted to 



Now Professor of Botany in the University of Pennsylvania 



