204 /In Address to the People 



try must/ecZ the necessity of a speedy developement of its 

 mineral resources. To find beneath our own soil an adequate 

 supply of the various minerals which are now imported at an 

 enormous expense, must be regarded by all as a matter of the 

 first and greatest importance. The managers are anxious to 

 be instrumental in the advancement of this useful work, and 

 earnestly solicit the co-operation of the public. They will be 

 thankful for specimens of all the rare or curious minerals that 

 may be discovered in this country. To every specimen that 

 may be transmitted, a label should be attached, stating either 

 the kind of rock or stratum to which it belonged, or its precise 

 locality. Whenever it is required, the managers will have a 

 part of any specimen which is sent to them, analyzed, and a 

 corfect report made of its nature, thus afibrding to the disco- 

 verer a full opportunity of availing himself of all the pecuniary 

 advantages that may attend the discovery. 



As objects of scientific interest, the managers intend, as 

 early as possible, to commence the formation of a cabinet of 

 petrifactions. The rocks of few other countries contain a 

 greater number and variety of these animal remains of the 

 ancient ocean, than the limestone districts of the Ohio and 

 Mississippi. They both astonish and confound most of the 

 travellers through this region ; and although objects of familiar 

 examination to ourselves, they have not been collected or de- 

 scribed by our citizens. An extensive and well arranged cabi- 

 net of these extraneous fossils would afford, both to the zoolo- 

 gist and geologist, an exquisite feast. It is hoped that every 

 specimen sent to the Society will be accompanied by a label, 

 stating the place where it was found. 



It is the wish of the Society to obtain and preserve speci- 

 mens of all the native animals of this country. Most of the 

 larger quadrupeds having receded before the unceasing exten- 

 sion of our settlements, are now so rare as to be unknown to 

 to all but our oldest emigrants. Measures will be taken by 

 the managers to procure from the general retreat in the north- 

 west, and exhibit to the people in the Ohio countries, a speci- 

 men of every quadruped which lately inhabited them ; and 

 while engaged in this enterprise, they hope to import from 



