REPORT. 



and permanence which, under other circumstances, must 

 necessarily have been extremely slow and uncertain ; while 

 Science, at the same time, received an impulse which has 

 never faltered, and which has been subsequently imparted 

 to every section of our country."* 



In the year 1834, a principal part of the Library of the 

 late Mr. Thomas Say was received by verbal bequest through 

 his lady. It embraces all his books on Entomology, (his 

 favourite science,) together with a considerable number on 

 other branches of Natural History, amounting, in all, to up- 

 wards of one hundred volumes. 



As in accordance with our plan, specific acknowledgments 

 have been made throughout the following pages, to all indi- 

 viduals and institutions from whom books have been re- 

 ceived, we shall merely add, in this place, that the splendid 

 work of Mr. Audubon on the Birds of America, has been 

 presented by a club of members. (Page 41.) 



The Committee cannot close this report without submit- 

 ting a few remarks on the future prospects of the Library, 

 and a plan for extending its utility. 



The restrictions on the loan of books already adopted by 

 the Academy, and specified in the following Catalogue, are 

 in accordance with the wishes of our worthy President; 

 who, in a lettert to one of the Committee, observes — that 

 he " much approves of the precaution of not allowing the 

 large and valuable works being lent out of the library ; for, 

 although the mass of the members are careful, and may with 

 safety be trusted, yet one careless, negligent member might 

 hurt the utility of the collection." 



In a subsequent letter, Mr. Maclure expresses himself 



* Notice of the Academy, 3d edit. 

 | January 10, 1836. 



