Academy of Natural Science. 9 



However agreeable it may be for men who are engaged 

 in kindred pursuits to meet and discuss the several objects in 

 which they are interested, yet this by no means constitutes 

 an essential feature of the Societies in question, which must on 

 the contrary depend entirely on the character of their tran- 

 sactions. With the exception therefore of the reading and 

 discussion of papers, it would seem that we might possess 

 Transactions, and by their means secure all the positive 

 advantages which result from Societies such as those alluded 

 to. The only officer that would be necessary on the spot 

 would be a secretary, or agent, the latter term might be 

 preferable, as implying a strict obedience to the wishes of 

 those for whom he acts. 



The elective body, or Committee, might consist of from 

 eight to twelve names, such as would be a security for the cha- 

 racter of the Society, and who would appoint annually three 

 or four of their body as vice-presidents, to settle any doubt- 

 ful points that might be referred to them by their agent. 



It would not be advisable to have a larger number than 

 from eight to twelve on the Committee at once, from the in- 

 convenience that would be occasioned in deciding questions 

 upon which it might become necessary to collect their 

 opinions. 



This last object could only be effected by means of circu- 

 lars. The business of the Committee would be the elec- 

 tion of vice-presidents once a year from among their num- 

 ber, as already stated, as well as to fill up vacancies in 

 their own body ; this, together with the occasional refer- 

 ence on matters of business would require, at some future 

 time, the indulgence of the privilege of franking letters on 

 the business of the Society to each of the members of 

 the Committee, only however from one to another, which 

 would enable them to keep up that intercourse with each 



other on matters of science which it is almost essential that 



c 



