6 



as ornate than useful, and which are evi- 

 dently unconnected with personal advan- 

 tages, let us examine whether these have 

 not also received a proportionate share of 

 attention from our countrymen. 



On the present occasion it is proposed to 

 give a brief outline of the progress and pre- 

 sent state of the Natural Sciences in the 

 United States. Such occasional exhibitions 

 are something more than mere appeals to 

 national vanity. They are consonant with 

 the usages of other nations, and if faithfully 

 executed, are not always flattering to na- 

 tional pride. They become useful records 

 of the labours of our cotemporaries, may 

 indicate sources of information which might 

 be overlooked by the inquirer, and often 

 serve as an incitement to greater exertion 

 with the rising generation. 



Previous to the epoch of the late war 

 with England, although a few works of 

 merit had appeared at distant intervals, yet 

 the Natural Sciences were but partially 

 cultivated. The few individuals who had 

 turned their attention to such pursuits were 

 too widely scattered over this extensive 

 country, to allow of that familiar interchange 



