Q JntroSudoYy Remarks, 



research with some interesting discovery. Our mineralogy; 

 however, is a treasure but just opened. That both science 

 and art may expect much advantage from this source, is suffi- 

 ciently evinced by the success which has crowned the active 

 efforts of a few ardent cultivators of this science : several new 

 species of minerals have been added to it in this country ; 

 great numbers of American locahties discovered, and interest- 

 ing additions made to our materials, for the useful and orna- 

 mental arts. The science of mineralogy is now illustrated by 

 courses of lectures, and by several good cabinets in the different 

 states. Among the cabinets, the splendid collection of Colonel 

 GiBBS, now in Yale College^ (a munificent deposit for the 

 benefit of his country,) stands pre-eminent : it would be con- 

 sidered as a Very noble cabinet in any part of Europe : and its 

 introduction into the United States, and its gratuitous dedica- 

 tion to the promotion of science, are equally advantageous to 

 the community, and honourable to its patriotic and enlightened 

 proprietor. Mineralogy is most intimately connected with our 

 iarts, and especially with our agriculture. 



Such are the disguises worn by many most useful mineral 

 substances, that an unskilful observer is liable to pass a thing 

 by, as worthless, which, if better informed, he would seize 

 ivith avidity ; and, still more frequently, a worthless substance, 

 clothed perhaps in a brilliant and attractive exterior, excites 

 hopes altogether delusive, and induces expense, without a pos- 

 sibility of remuneration. A diffusion of correct knowledge on 

 this subject is the only adequate remedy for either evil. 



Our geology, £dso, presents a most interesting field of in- 

 quiry. A grand outline has recently been drawn by Mr. 

 Maclure, with a masterly hand, and with a vast extent of per^ 

 sonal observation and labour : but to fill up the detail, both 

 observation and labour still more extensive are demanded ; 

 nor can the object be effected, till more good geologists are 

 formed, and distributed oVer our extensive territory. 



To account for the formation and changes of our globe, by 

 excursions of the imagination, often splendid and imposing, but 

 usually visionary, and almost always baseless, was, till within 

 half a century, the business of geological speculations : bat 



