66 Notice of Scientific Societies in the U. S. of America. 



of Mr. Maclure, and the zoological communications of Messrs. 

 Say and Lesueur, will deeply interest the American naturalist. 



23. Linnaean Society. Philadelphia. Instituted 1807. We 

 believe that the members of this society have ceased to assem- 

 ble for some time past. It was founded by the late Professor 

 Barton, whose discourse " On some of the principal desiderata 

 of American Natural History" was pronounced at the opening 

 of this institution. 



24. Academy of Natural Sciences. Philadelphia. Incor- 

 porated in 1818. Meet weekly. This active society has al- 

 ready published four volumes octavo, under the title of " Jour- 

 nal of the Academy of Natural Sciences," and have nearly 

 completed a fifth volume. It has the most complete and ex- 

 tensive library of works upon Natural History, in the United 

 States, for which they are chiefly indebted to the liberality of 

 Mr. Maclure, a gentleman equally celebrated for his zeal in 

 prosecuting scientific inquiry, and his generosity towards those 

 engaged in similar pursuits. The Journal of the Academy is 

 absolutely indispensable to every American naturalist. 



In addition to the means of acquiring scientific information, 

 afforded by these societies in Philadelphia, the University of 

 Pennsylvania has a Professorship of Natural History, at pre- 

 sent filled by Mr. Thomas Say. Dr. Hare is Professor of 

 Chemistry; Mr. W. H. Keating, of Mineralogy, applied to 

 the arts; Dr. Barton, of Botany ; and Dr. Hewson, of Compa- 

 rative Anatomy. No salaries are attached to these professor- 

 ships, and they are compelled to give at least ten lectures an- 

 nually. 



The Philadelphia Museum was incorporated a few years 

 since, and as a corporate body were privileged to appoint 

 Professors. Accordingly the following gentlemen have been 

 elected, and have already given several courses of lectures. 

 Dr. Troost, on Mineralogy and Geology; Mr. Say, Zoology; 

 Dr. Godman, Physiology; and Dr. Harlan, Comparative Ana- 

 tomy. It is gratifying to see in one city, these various efforts 

 to promote and extend the study of the natural sciences : — may 

 others follow this good example. 



25. Academy of Science and Literature. Baltimore, Mary- 

 land. Instituted 1821. Arrangements are making to com- 

 mence a volume of their Transactions. 



26. Columbian Institute. Washington City. Incorporated 



. The President of the United States is, ex officio, the 



President of this society. Under its auspices a Florida Colum- 

 biensishas been published, and spirited efforts are now making 

 to establish a botanic garden. 



27. Western 



