98 CHAP T E R 34, 
natural knowledge. The colledion of a 
mufeum of natural curiofities, was one of 
the objeds in view ; and fuch wds the re- 
fpedlability of the fociety, both as a body, 
and in its individuals, that, through its 
means, the w^hole nation may be faid to 
have amply contributed to its emolument. 
All new objefts of curiofity; all new books, 
at home and abroad ; new difcoveries 
throughout all nature, inceflantly offered 
themfelves ; and thus, not only tended to re- 
move the prejudices that too flrongly pre- 
vailed againft the ftudies of nature in that 
age, but, in the event, excited a paflion in 
the public, w^iich was fo fuccefsfully exert- 
ed in improving, not natural hiftory alone, 
but real and ufeful fcience at large, that it 
will not be conlidered as an exaggerated 
encomium to aiTert, that more effeftual 
advancement was made by the influence 
of this illuftrious body in one century, 
than had before taken place from the ear- 
lieft ages. Botany fhared thefe benefits; 
and the early volumes of the T'ranfadiions 
abound in records of newly-difcovered ve- 
getables, and of newly-difcovered proper- 
3 ^^^^ 
