BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 9 



The time, however, has not arrived to dwell upon anything not agreeable in the record 

 of the devoted workers of the Society. The Recording Secretary appears to have been 

 quite elated at the progress made, for he writes in October : The zeal and activity of the 

 members seem to be unabated, and if the collection continues to increase for a few years 

 in the same proportion, it will surpass every establishment of the kind in the United 

 States, and almost rival those of Europe. 



The close of the year shows no less activity. In December a valuable paper was read 

 by Dr. John Ware. Large and valuable specimens were set up under the superintendence 

 of the committees, and arrangements were made, as the record states, for labelling all the 

 birds, beasts and fishes belonging to the cabinet. A committee was also appointed to see 

 what could be done in relation to furnishing permanent apartments for the collection of 

 the Society, which implies, probably, that it had increased to a size rendering more room 

 necessary for its accommodation. 



1817. Judging by the records of this year's doings alone, it might be thought that all 

 was well with the Society, and that its continued existence and progress were secure. 

 Donations continued to pour in, many of a very valuable character. Among them may be 

 noticed a fine American elk, which is mentioned as one of the most interesting and 

 valuable animals which our country affords. There seems certainly to have been 

 no fears of calamity, for in the early part of the year a fine specimen of a female 

 moose, from Maine, was purchased, and the hope is expressed that another year 

 a male may be obtained, together with a reindeer, which, the Secretary states will 

 make complete the collection of the deer of the United States. Arrangements were 

 also made with Capt. Waterman to procure specimens of natural history from the 

 coast of Africa. 



The annual meeting was held at Brookline, where the members, as usual, sat down to 

 dinner. Valuable papers were presented, one on the mineralogy and geology of 

 Cambridge and its vicinity, by Mr. S. L. Dana, Jr., containing, it is stated, " unquestionably 

 more accurate information on the subjects upon which it treats than has ever before been 

 communicated;" one on the luminous appearance of the sea, translated from the 

 Transactions of the Swedish Academy by Judge Davis ; and one on the medical properties 

 of Phytolacca decandra, by Dr. Hayward. 



It is distinctly mentioned by the Secretary, in June, that the usual business of 

 collecting and preserving specimens had been regularly attended to. 



On the 18th of June, Dr. Channing delivered an address. At a previous meeting of 

 the Society it had been voted to call a public meeting of the members, each of 

 whom should have the privilege of inviting others to be present on this occasion, 

 which was made one of great interest, many of the leading men of the state and city 

 being present. Among them, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Council, members 

 of the Senate, and many ladies. The whole company were surprised at the size of the 

 collection, and highly pleased with its general order and neatness. 



At twelve o'clock the address was given, which was upon the importance of literature 

 and science, particularly to the people of New England. The claims of the Society to the 

 patronage of the public were urged with great force and ingenuity. A sketch of the 

 progress of the institution from its first foundation was given, and statements made 

 showing the rapid growth of the cabinet. 



