336 



of Lectures on Natural History," Cambridge, 1810, in which he dis- 

 tributes the lower animals under the heads of Ornithology, Amphibi- 

 olooy, Ichthyology, Insects, and Vermes ; which latter are pronounced 

 to be " the outskirts of animated nature, extending to the confines of 

 the vegetable world." In a note, he says he will extend, contract, or 

 omit parts of his programme, to suit his audience ; and it does not 

 appear whether or not he ever had any audience at all. 



Prof W. D. Peck occupied the chair of Natural History at Harvard 

 College from 1805 to 1822, when he died. He gave such instruction 

 as was demanded, which was very little ; and wrote some practical papers 

 for the Agricultural Transactions, the more important of which were 

 the natural history of the " Slug-worm " and of the " Canker-worm." 

 Previous to the year 1814, no combined systematic effort had been 

 made for the promotion of natural history in this State. In Decem- 

 ber of that year, a Society was duly formed for this purpose. It 

 flourished for a few years, and then collapsed. Few of the present 

 day are aware that such a Society, the Linn^ean Society, ever ex- 

 isted here ; and the memory of it has nearly passed from the gen- 

 eration that knew it. By chance, the records of it have lately been 

 brought to light, and have fallen into my hands, and are fittingly to be 

 deposited in our archives. But, first, it seemed to me that it would be 

 interesting, especially at this moment, to draw from its pages an 

 epitome of its origin and fortunes for your hearing. 



It was originally named the " New-England Society for the Promo- 

 tion of Natural History." The first meeting was held at the room of 

 Dr. Jacob Bigelow, Dec. 8, 1814. Present, W. S. Shaw and Octa- 

 vius Pickering, Esqs., Drs. Channing, Gushing, Perkins, Bigelow, and 

 Hayward, and Messrs. Tucker, Dana, Webster, and Ware. Dr. Chan- 

 ning was chosen chairman, and Dr. Bigelow secretary, for the evening. 

 Drs. Bigelow and Hayward, and Mr. Pickering, were chosen a commit- 

 tee to frame a Constitution, which was duly adopted at a meeting two 

 evenings afterward. It provided for a President, Vice-President, 

 a Corresponding and a Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Cabinet- 

 keeper, and assigned the usual duties. There were to be Immediate, 

 Corresponding, and Honorary Members. Entire unanimity was re- 

 quired for election. An annual assessment of five dollars was laid ; a 

 fine of fifty cents imposed for absence ; and, for three absences, a for- 

 feiture of membership Wcis incurred. An Executive Committee of five 

 was to manage the rooms and collections. No specimens were to be 

 received on deposit, and none removed without a special vote. Meet- 

 ings were held weekly, on Saturday evenings. The members were 

 divided into six classes : viz., for minerals ; for plants and vegetables ; 

 for (Quadrupeds and birds ; for fishes, reptiles, and serpents ; for insects; 

 and for vermes, corals, madrepores, &c. Hon. John Davis was chosen 



