NATURAL HISTORY. 
127 
if you are not determined to exert yourselves, and to 
leave nothing undone to advance the interests and 
to serve the cause of the Institution which we have so 
happily formed for the cultivation of this interesting 
department of knowledge — Natural History. 
But I hear that some have raised an objection to 
our Society, and entertain a fear that it is calculated 
to interfere with, and impair the efficiency of, 
Institutions in this town, that have been laudably 
formed to cultivate knowledge. To these timid 
objectors I would reply that they need entertain 
no such imaginary and groundless anticipations. 
The departments of knowledge to which we propose 
to direct attention have never yet been prosecuted by 
any Society in this town ; and, therefore, without at 
all interrupting the exertions of others, we may fairly 
associate to advance a much neglected branch of 
study, leaving them still to pursue the honorable 
and praiseworthy course in which they have hitherto 
been engaged. Indeed, I may add, that from all 
associations of a kindred nature we may fairly, and 
certainly, look for support and countenance ; because 
it has uniformly and invariably occurred, — that when- 
ever a taste for ennobling and elevating studies has 
been diffused, every selfish and narrow principle has 
been swallowed up in the one great and absorbing 
desire of forwarding, with our utmost energies, every 
attempt to diffuse the bright beams of natural know- 
ledge over every portion of the community. 
It is undeniably of the utmost importance that no 
little feeling of jealousy should exist amongst those 
