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460 Recent Literature. [July, 
of scientific bodies, but the present “ Report” consists chiefly of 
a discussion of the financial condition of the society, a duty which 
is usually left to the treasurer to perform. As to its subject mat- 
ter, we have to observe that little or nothing is said respecting the 
fostering of scientific research, in any practical way ; but money 
is asked for, to be expended in erecting a new building, and in 
payment of persons to catalogue the books and to label and 
catalogue the specimens in the museum. No notice is taken of the 
comparatively inconsiderable additions to the museum during the 
year, as indicated by the reports, nor of the fact that the determi- 
nation and labeling of the specimens has been mostly confided 
to persons having little or no knowledge of the necessary depart- 
ments of natural science. The president remarks: “ Promptly 
mounting, labeling, and displaying specimens in the museum as 
fast as presented, can no longer be safely confided to volunteer 
and gratuitous labor alone. There is constant occupation for two 
or more experts for whom a reasonable compensation is essen- 
tial.” There is a zaïveté in these expressions which is sur- 
prising as coming from a president of what was once the most 
efficient scientific body in this country. The supposition that 
specimens in any department of natural science which has not 
been thoroughly exhausted, can be “promptly mounted, labeled `. 
and displayed,” could scarcely be entertained by the humblest 
student of science; and the expectation that even “experts” 
would pursue scientific research for the purpose of “ displaying 
specimens in the museum as soon as presented,” shows that the 
president of the academy is in a state of Jamentable ignorance 
as to the real object of its existence. The idea that it is a show 
museum, appears to have entirely excluded the true view of its 
founders, and of all of the scientists who have built it up, viz: 
that it is an institution of original research. With this fact in 
view one can understand how the “volunteer and gratuitous 
labor” of its scientific members cannot be “safely confided” 
in, and how the places of such members have been supplied by 
employés who maké no pretensions to scientific knowledge or 
reputation. 
It also explains how the only moneys available for the payment 
of salaries, have been devoted to the employment of such persons, 
while tens, nay, fifties of promising young students or mature 
men of science throughout the country, who are struggling with 
overty, would consider such positions as placing within their 
reach the realization of their highest aspirations. 
In view of these facts the President’s remarks on the subject of 
Professorships (p. 324) impress us as inconsistent. e is prima- 
rily in error in stating that one of the objects of such an officer 
= would be to give “ systematic courses of instruction,” .if by this, 
complete courses such as are required by our schools, is meant. 
The object had in view by the proposers of this part of the organ- 
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