Introductory Remarks, S 



to expect that he will not be sparing of his own labour, and 

 that his work shall be generally marked by the impress of his 

 own hand. To this extent the editor cheerfully acknowledges 

 his obligations to the public ; and it will be his endeavour 

 faithfully to redeem his pledge. 



Most of the periodical works of our country have been short- 

 lived. This, also, may perish in its infancy ; and if any degree 

 of confidence is cherished, that it will attain a maturer age, it 

 is derived from the obvious and intrinsic importance of the un- 

 dertaking ; from its being built upon permanent and moment- 

 ous national interests ; from the evidence of a decided appro- 

 bation of the design, on the part of men of the first eminence, 

 obtained in the progress of an extensive correspondence ; from 

 assurances of support, in the way of contributions, from men 

 of ability in many parts of the union ; and from the existence 

 of such a crisis in the affairs of this country and of the world, 

 as appears peculiarly auspicious to the success of every wife 

 and good undertaking. 



As regards the subjects of this work, it is in our power to 

 do much in the department of the natural history of this 

 country. Our Zoology has been more fully investigated than 

 our mineralogy and botany ; but neither department is in 

 danger of being exhausted. The interesting travels of Lewis 

 and Clark have recently brought to our knowledge several 

 plants and animals before unknown. Foreign naturalists fre- 

 quently explore our territory ; and, for the most part, convey 

 to Europe the fruits of their researches, while but a small 

 part of our own productions is examined and described by 

 Americans : certainly, this is little to our credit, and still less 

 to our advantage. Honourable exceptions to the truth of 

 this remark are furnished by the exertions of some gentle- 

 men in our principal cities, and in various other parts of the 

 Union.* 



Our botany, it is true, has been extensively and successfully 

 investigated ; but this field is still rich, and rewards every new 



» The efforts of Stephen Elliott, Esq. of South Carolina, in regard to the botany 

 of the Southern States, are particularly worthy of imitation and praise. 



