NATURAL HISTORY. 
5 
would be singly of small value, when collected into a 
mass becomes more important ; and these societies of 
men, by diligently collecting and arranging facts, are 
enabled to arrive at conclusions which advance the 
progress of knowledge. My medical friends must 
forgive me if I in an especial manner remind them 
that they are well able to estimate the value of this 
co-operation. The volume of Nature lies open to all, 
but in an especial manner to the medical philosopher : 
in all regions he is excited to peruse her pages, to 
interpret her language, and to explain her laws. In 
the expeditions, whether of discovery, war, or com- 
merce, made to remote parts, and to every climate of 
this earth, we see with a pardonable satisfaction that 
the most interesting facts in natural history and 
science have been collected by medical persons ; or 
by those educated in that profession. It seems to me 
that a spirit of enquiry into the natural phenomena 
going on in this globe is congenial with the study of 
the medical art ; and that this disposition may be 
encouraged and directed in a mode that may lead to 
important discoveries. How then are we to accom- 
plish this desirable end ? I answer, by uniting 
together zealously and cordially to promote the object 
we have in view. 
The value of this co-operation has been eloquently 
stated by a distinguished member of this profession. 
He has taken advantage of the tendency that at 
present exists among individuals of every class in the 
community to associate together for the advancement 
of knowledge, and has proposed that County Natural 
