PROCEEDINGS OF THE CENTENARY MEETING. xiii 



naturae were in steady demand. The calf with five legs vied for public favor with 



the child without ears. 



Notwithstanding the preparations for war which were draining the resources 



of all men the founders of this institution had such faith in the future of the United 

 States of America that they did not hesitate even with the din of martial demon- 

 strations in their ears and the consciousness of an awful, impending struggle with 

 gigantic powers in their minds, to proceed quietly, methodically, and unperturbed 

 to found an association for pure learning which has now become one of the 

 foremost among the scientific institutions of the world. 



The voices that started the vibrations whose echoes still resound in this Hall 

 of Science, though no longer heard, are too numerous to be mentioned on this 

 occasion, when there is so much that is new to be brought out within the short 

 time allotted for this our last assembly in the Academy's first century. 



The Academy was born of the enthusiasm of earnest lovers of science. They 

 had before them a single purpose, the unveiling of some of the laws of nature 

 and the engraving of them on the tablets of the society that they might be studied 

 by men of all nations. To accomplish this great end as the society prew they 

 realized the necessity of explorations, of collections, of laboratories, of a library, 

 and of reciprocity with bodies having similar aims. 



In the beginning of the nineteenth century a few young men in this city 

 spent their spare time in studying natural history. They soon learned it was to 

 their mutual interest to compare their notes. In the year 1812 John Speakman 

 and Jacob Gilliams agreed that it would be well to hold regular meetings; accord 



__gly they, with Dr. Gerard Troost, Nicholas S. Parmentier, Dr. Camillus 



Macmahon Mann, and John Shinn, Jr., met at the home of one of their members 



the northwest corner of Market and 2d Sts., on January 25, 1812. Thomas 



Say was almost immediately added to their number. The minutes of this 

 meeting set forth that their object would be the rational disposition of 

 otherwise leisure moments. Their next assembly was held at a public house 

 on Market Street near Franklin Place on the 21st day of March, 1812, at which 

 time Dr. Samuel Jackson, of the University of Pennsylvania, is said to have 

 suggested the title of The Academy of Natural Sciences. The collection of the 

 society at this time was represented by a few common insects, a few corals and 

 shells, a dried toad fish, and a stuffed monkey. 



Thus established, the Academy, with its constantly increasing resources, 

 has been for one hundred years administered for the benefit of all students of 



natural history. 



Masters of science have come from all parts of the world to consult the great 



zoological, botanical, geological, and ethnological collections which the accumu- 

 lated labors of our members, during a century of activity, have brought together 



in the museum. . 



Writers and students of all grades have come to consult the great natural 



history library which the liberality of our members and the worldwide exchange 

 of our publications have enabled us to place on the shelves. 



