144 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



present is condemned to inactivity from local position unfavorable to 

 scientific research. 



It is not the purpose of the committee to engage in minute criticism 

 of the details of the programme ; but it may not be out of place to sug- 

 gest a doubt of the practicability or expediency of carrying into rigid 

 execution " the rejection of all unverified speculations," as proposed 

 in the third paragraph of the first section above cited ; while it is ob- 

 viously advisable to discountenance all theoretical speculations not 

 directly built upon observation, it might be too much to exact, in all 

 cases, that these speculations should have been actually verified. No 

 small portion of modern geology is an ingenious structure of speculative 

 generalizations. The undulatory theory of light can hardly claim any 

 other character. The nebular theory, though proposed and illustrated 

 by the highest astronomical talent of the past and present generation, 

 is rapidly sinking from the domain of accredited speculations. It may 

 be doubted even whether M. Le Verrier's brilliant memoirs on the per- 

 turbations of Uranus would not, as published before the discovery of 

 Neptune, have fallen within this principle of rejection rigorously applied. 

 Upon the whole, the committee think very favorably of all parts of the 

 plan for increasing knowledge, and feel no doubt that it would afford 

 important encouragement to scientific pursuits. To suppose that it 

 will create an era in science, or throw into the shade the ordinary edu- 

 cational and intellectual influences at work in the country, would be 

 extravagant. It is enough, and all that can be expected, if it be a 

 rational plan for appropriating moderate means towards the attainment 

 of a desirable end. 



To fulfil the other object of the trust, viz : to " diffuse knowledge," 

 the Secretary proposes to publish "A Series of Reports, giving an ac- 

 count of the new discoveries in science, and of the changes made from 

 year to year in all branches of knowledge not strictly professional." 

 These reports are to be prepared by collaborators, most eminent in their 

 several departments, who are to receive a compensation for their labors ; 

 the collaborators to be furnished with all the journals and other publi- 

 cations necessary to the preparation of their reports. 



The following enumeration of the proposed subjects of these reports 

 will aflbrd the Academy a full conception of this part of the plan. 



I. Physical class. 



1. Physics, including Astronomy, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, and 

 Meteorology. 



2. Natural History, including Botany, Zoology, and Geology. 



3. Agriculture. 



4. Application of Science to Art. 



II. Moral and Political class. 



5. Ethnology, including particular History, comparative Philology, 

 Antiquities, &c. 



6. Statistics and Political Economy. 



7. Mental and Moral Philosophy. 



8. A Survey of the Political Events of the World, Penal Reform, &c. 



