PREFACE. im” 
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tained in the progress of an extensive correspondence; from 
assurances of support, in the way of contributions, from men of 
ability in many sections 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 wise and 
good undertaking. Te ' 
“As regards the subjects of the contemplated work, it is-eRi# 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 are frequently 
exploring 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. Honor- 
able exceptions to the truth of this remark are furnished by the 
exertions of some gentlemen 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 
research with some interesting discovery. Our mineralogy, how- 
ever, is a treasure but just opened. That both science and art 
may expect much advantage from this source, is sufficiently 
evinced by the success which has crowned the active efforts of a 
few ardent cultivators of this science: several new species have 
been added to it in this country ; great numbers of American lo- 
ealities of minerals discovered, and interesting additions made to 
our materials, for the useful and ornamental arts. 
“‘Mineralogy 1s most intimately connected with our arts, and 
especially with agriculture. Such are the disguises worn by 
many most useful mineral substances, that an unskilful observer 
is hable to pass a thing by, as worthless, which, if better inform- 
ed, he would seize with 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 possibility of remuneration. A diffusion of correct 
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