6& 



establishments are founded and amply en- 

 dowed, affording gratuitous instruction in 

 the most minute branches, exhibiting bril- 

 liant prospects to the zealous student, and 

 securing to the ripe scholar a secure and 

 honorable retreat in his old age. In our 

 own country, notwithstanding the pecu» 

 liar constitution of society, which affords 

 little leisure to the mere scholar, and the 

 meagre recompense which awaits the stu- 

 dent of science, yet Natural History has not 

 failed to attract much attention from nu- 

 merous votaries. Indeed a stronger evi- 

 dence cannot be given of the interest 

 which is taken in this study than the fact 

 that numerous institutions for the cultiva- 

 tion of Natural History have been for many 

 years in active operation in the United 

 States, and every year adds several new 

 associations to the list. 



In Mineralogy more accuracy has been 

 introduced, and analyses have been much 

 improved, many new forms and combina- 

 tions have been brought to light, and spe- 

 cies hastily introduced have been speedily 

 restored to their proper places. The loose 

 and: confused attempts at analysis, of which 



