' attained m mffustng and lncreas. 

 ing a knowledge of Natural Science in the 

 com in unity where it is located. 



In ths comprehensive view of the case, 

 we see the particular need of such an insti- 

 stution, particularly iu its early stages of 

 growth, viz : A permanent location, where 

 its objects can be properly displayed, and 

 affording room lor necessary enlarge- 

 ment. This v>uat will become more press- 

 ing as collections enlarge, and is even now 

 beginning to be seriously felt in the neces- 

 sities of this Academy. We have a name, 

 and a good one— we now want a "local 

 habitation," and where shall we find it? In 

 oloer cnmmunties where.the ordinary course 

 of business is more settled, and where there 

 is less strain uponjthe mental faculties in 

 ihepurtuit of weal-.h, or where wealth has 

 been accumulated to such an extent that it 

 bacomes a point of earnest inquiry to know 

 how it may be bust used, we not unfre 

 queatly meet with those who assume a 

 wi9e patronage of science, and aim to place 

 institutions designed for its ipromotion in 

 the possession of necessary iunds. To such 

 wise promptings we owe the rich endow- 

 ments of eastern colleges, or the munificent 

 gifts of Peabody. But here in the west 

 where every one is intent on securing 

 wealth by the most rapid process, or having 

 thus attained it, continue to cherish the ex- 

 citement of gain to the exclusion of higher 

 motives, we cannot expect to meet with pa- 

 trons of science who will take such institu- 

 tion;- under their fostering ; care. Perhaps 

 oor Davenport Peabody is" being lulled to 

 sleep ia its curses' arm, or has not yet ap- 

 penred upon the staee of existence. There- 

 tore, in the loDg intervening period, the I 

 Davenport Academy of Natural Science ! 

 must reasonably look to other sources tor 

 Its successful continuance. The plan 

 of lifs membership affords the 

 most feasible plan of securing 

 the necessary means for procuring a perma- 

 nent location, aud could sufficient interest 

 be awakened on this subject among our ac- 

 tive, prosperous businees men, something 

 might be done to secure the desirable con- 

 summation. How this may be most speedllv 

 accomplished does rot yet appear, but I 

 trust that gentlemen here who have been 

 active in the organization of this Academy 

 will keep this object in view till something 

 definite is brought about in the shape of a 

 permanent location. Till this is done we 

 shall bo at the mercy of the elements of fire 

 and water—if not earthquakes— and if sub- 

 ject to frequent removals, might as well 

 have a few strokes of the latter to assist in 

 the moving process- 



Again, *»s I have had frequent occasion to 

 remark, the educational claims of Natural 

 Science are but very dimly appreciated, 

 even in this utilitarian sge and country, 

 whose astonishing progress is largely due 

 to the applied results of scientific- investiga- 

 tion. We are profuse in our expenditure of 

 funds raised by general taxation to impart a 

 knowledge of dea~ and living languages, or 

 tho dull abstractions of technical grammar, 



~- m*rmm wum* m v. KTOiuin.lv>, «JC£ IOV/1 JUg »I- 



most entirely the things and living objects 

 that enter so largely into the observations 

 and wants of every day life. As long as 

 the community at large is satisfied with this 

 kind of education, and is willing to pay well 

 for it, so long will educators neglect Natural 

 Science, and teachers as a class will keep 

 aloof from the meetings of such an Acad- 

 emy as this. But let the claims of Natural 

 Science be once fatrly admitted, and we 

 shall hayo scores of teachers crowding with- 

 in these halls, consulting our museums and 

 libraries, taking an active part in our exer- 

 cises, while at present we can barely num- 

 ber two worthy representatives of this im- 

 portant class. No small honor will in after 

 times attach to those who uphold tbe cause 

 of science, as an educational power, during 

 the period in which it is little esteemed, or 

 regarded as visionary and Utopian in its 

 aims and purposes. 



Another tendency which in such a 

 young wndeveieped institution it Is 

 necessary to guard against, is a dis- 

 position to run into loose theo- 

 rizing and a presentation of subjects 

 in their purely theoretical aspects, vague,' 

 shadowy *nd undefined. While it is emi- 

 nently proper that our discussions of suit- 

 able subjects should be allowed to take tho 

 widest possible range, and nothing profess- 

 ing to be true should be excluded from a 

 free and fair exhibition of its claims to at- 

 tention, however much it may clash with 

 our preconceived opinions, yet our chief 

 and paramount duty is to collect substantial 

 facts, arrange them properly, let them accu- 

 mulate eveu in their roughest aspects, and 

 leave them to be shaped afterwards, mid 

 construed into theories in which each 

 ascertained fact shall represent a polished 

 and well fitting block in the great temple of 

 truth. Mud built, or adobe theories, may 

 answer well enough for a temporary struc- 

 ture, but cannot be relied on to wiihstr.ud 

 tho vicissitudes of an age that tries with 

 its frost, and fire, and flood everything that 

 aimstoriee above the common level, re- 

 ducing all that is unsubstantial to its kin- 

 dred dust. i 



I need only further remark that as a local 

 scientific institution our chief < flbrts should 

 be primarily directed to develope and bring 

 to light the scientific raw material, and ob- 

 jects of interest, or the peculiar local phe- 

 nomena by which we are surrounded I 

 think in this connection it is not sufficiently 

 appreciated, as to the importance of early ob- 

 servations and collections in new localitits 

 The natural Flora and Fauna of a country 

 undergoes great changes in the progress of 

 civilized settlement, and the important law 

 which regulates these changes, can only be 

 properly underctood iu i height of compar- 

 ison. I have been lately forcibly rec 

 oi this fact Ly observing the remarkable 

 cijauge-i which the natural vegetation in 

 this vicinity has undergone within my rec- 

 ollection. Plums that twenty years ago 1 

 could find witbin range of a short walk 

 frum while we are now assembled, have 

 n jw almost entirely disappeared from view. 



