AMERICAN NATURALIST. 



ADDRESS 



DR. JOHN L. LeCONTE, 



The founders of science in America, and the other great stu- 

 dents of nature, who have in previous years occupied the elevated 

 position in which I now stand, have addressed you upon many 



Presidents by the laws of the Association, some have spoken to 

 you in solemn and wise words concerning the duties and privileges 

 of men of science : and the converse duties of the nation towards 

 those earnest and disinterested promoters of knowledge. Others 

 again have given you the history of the development of their 

 respective branches of study, and their present condition, and 

 have, in eloquent diction, commended to your gratitude those who 

 have established on a firm foundation the basis of our modern 



The recent changes in our Constitution, by which you are led to 

 expect from your two Vice-presidents, and from the Chairman of 

 the Chemical Subsection, addresses on the progress made during 



