ART. I. 



BEFORE 



TOJM SOCIETY OF NATURAT. HISTORY, at the opening 

 of their New Hall in Tremont Street. Bv Rev. F. W. P. Green- 

 wood. Aug. 21, 1833. 



With good cause, gentlemen, may we congratulate 

 each other, at this meeting, on our condition and pros- 

 pects as a Society. This spacious and delightfully situated 

 apartment ; these neat and well contrived cases and 

 tables, already exhibiting treasures, the lustre of which is 

 more pleasant to the eyes of science than the shuiing of 

 silver and gold ; this convenient furniture, these ampl 

 accommodations, are all indubitable evidences of our im- 

 proved, established and promising state. Ever)- thing 

 wears a congratulatory aspect. Our countenances are 

 full of animation. Even the mute representatives from 

 the several kingdoms of nature, which here in new order 

 surround us, seem to participate in our pleasure, and, 

 rejoicing in their own deliverance from the damp and 

 obscure region in which they had been hidden, to bid us 

 welcome to upper air, and the comforts of our present 



abode . 



On taking this new step in our progress, It is proper 



that we should look back on the ground over which we 

 have passed. I will therefore offer a sketch of our his- 

 tory, short and uneventful as it is, principally drawn from 

 minutes which have been furnished me by our worthy and 

 faithful Secretary. 



formed 



Society 



and advancin 



knowledge of natural 



history. Most of us can remember, and some of us, T be- 



