38 HISTORICAL SKETCH OP THE 



The Society then hstened to an interesting and instructive address from Mr. Tesche- 

 macher upon the progress of Natural Science. This was subsequently published. 



Nothing of unusual interest occurred during, the summer and fall months. When the 

 season became too cold for meetings in the hall, the members met by invitation at the 

 President's house in the evening, until February ; after which they assembled at the room 

 of the Librarian, 7|- Tremont Eow, until spring. 



1842. In April of this year a committee was chosen to make arrangements for the 

 reception of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists in the hall of the 

 Society, where their approaching meetings were to be held by invitation of the Society. 

 These meetings, the first in Boston, took place during the week commencing April 25th 

 and ending on Saturday the 30th. The most eminent scientific men of the country were 

 present, including Profs. William B. and Henry D. Rogers, Dr. Samuel G. Morton, Prof. 

 Hitchcock, Prof. Benjamin Silliman, Dr. James D. Dana and Prof. Locke. Mr. Lyell the 

 distinguished geologist, afterwards Sir Charles Lyell, was also present. The meetings were 

 of great scientific interest and importance, and several of the members, also members of 

 the Association, took an active part in the proceedings and discussions, among others Dr. 

 C. T. Jackson and Capt. Joseph P. Couthouy. 



The Association before adjourning passed a vote of thanks to the Boston Society of 

 Natural History for the use of the hall, and for the kind attention shown by its individual 

 members. 



Previous to and in anticipation of the meeting of the Association, the Society had voted 

 to hold a special meeting on the 27th of the month, in order to invite the members of 

 that body to hear the Annual Address which was to be delivered by one of their number, 

 Dr. Samuel G. Morton, the celebrated ethnologist. This meeting so held, was largely 

 attended by the members of the Society and by those of the Association. The President 

 first gave a brief history of the doings of the Society the past year. This was followed 

 by the address, which was upon the distinctive characteristics of the aboriginal race of 

 America, and was extremely interesting and instructive. It was published by the Society 

 in its Journal, Vol. IV, p. 190, and in pamphlet, 8vo., 1842. 



The yearly reports of the Curators were not always ef such chai'acter as to give partic- 

 ular information concerning the extent of the collections, sometimes being limited to a 

 statement of donations received, with remarks upon condition, etc. When presented in 

 detail, it seems well to embody their substance here, in order that comparisons may be 

 made hereafter if desirable. Some of the reports made at the annual meeting in jMay, 

 1842, are therefore dwelt upon at length. They were all quite encouraging. 



In the Ichthyological department the whole number of species was given as 450, of 

 which 390 were from the Western Hemisphere, and 60 from the Eastern. Of the INIassa- 

 chusetts species alone, there were now 108, an increase of 7 during the year. 



Of the mineral Cabinet it was stated by the Curator that he had rearranged the collec- 

 tion, and that there were 610 specimens on the shelves, Avhich probably comprised all 

 worthy of exhibition. 



The Curator of Entomology reported the enriching of this department by the addition 

 of eighty species of African beetles presented by Rev. Dr. Savage. 



The Curator of Conchology reported the continued prosperity of the department under 

 his charge. During no former year had a greater amount of labor been bestowed upon 



