64 Notice of Scientific Societies 



ceiving communications on subjects connected with science 

 and literature. This society has published one quarto volume 

 of its Transactions, and has another in the press, which is ex- 

 pected shortly to appear. 



18. Lyceum of Natural History. New York. Incorporated 

 in 1818. Meet weekly. Under the direction of this society 

 " A catalogue of the plants growing within thirty miles of the 

 city " was drawn up and published, and the specimens de- 

 posited with the society. Its advantageous situation for cor- 

 respondence with all parts of the world, seemed to invite the 

 establishment of a cabinet of natural history. This has ac- 

 cordingly been attempted ; and a collection, particularly rich 

 in minerals and organic remains, has already been formed. 

 During the past year, forty-seven papers (excluding reports of 

 committees on new works, which were presented by their re- 

 spective authors) were read before the Lyceum. During the 

 winter months lectures are delivered in rotation, by the mem- 

 bers, on the different branches of natural history. In 1824, 

 the society commenced the publication of its Annals, in a 

 cheap form, and as materials offered. This plan of publishing- 

 occasional sheets, presents decided advantages over the course 

 pursued formerly by literary and scientific societies. The fre- 

 quent periods of publication keeps up an excitement in the 

 society, and the members are encouraged to prosecute their 

 researches, when assured that they will speedily meet the public 

 eye. 



19. New York Branch of the Linnaean Society of Paris. 

 Meet annually in May. 



20. New York Athenaeum. This is enumerated as an as- 

 sociation, supported chiefly by the liberality of opulent mer- 

 chants, for the encouragement of science and literature in ge- 

 neral. During the last winter, lectures on chemistry, geology, 

 botany, &c. were appointed ; and the full attendance given to 

 these lectures was a pleasing evidence of the interest taken in 

 these sciences. 



In addition to these various institutions in the city and state 

 of New York, we may allude to the recent establishment by 

 law, of agricultural societies in every county in the state. 

 Although they have but an indirect bearing upon the natural 

 sciences, yet they are mentioned in this place, as they have 

 originated several valuable geological Essays with particular 

 reference to the improvement of agriculture. In 1819, an act was 

 passed by the legislature, granting 10,000 dollars annually to 

 the different counties in the state, in proportion to their po- 

 pulation. It was made a proviso, that an agricultural society 

 should be formed in each county, the members of which should 



raise 



