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and great library, collected through volunteer labors and the 
generosity of members of the Society, and others. The original 
researches made by the Institution are recorded in its published 
“Journal” and “Proceedings.” In any and every sense its 
labors are creditable, and in no respect inferior to work in 
similar societies of our country. But our progress is hampered, 
mainly by want of a building, and a too limited income. The 
last report of the treasurer, Dec. 29, 1873, shows that in the 
past year there was received on account of initiation fees, semi¬ 
annual contributions from members, life-memberships, etc. 
$3716, and from special funds, $1870, making the income of 
the year $5586. 
Including $1603 85 expended on account of salaries to 
janitors and librarian, the total expenditures for the year 
amounted to $6168. The balance in the treasury is less than 
$140, a balance wholly ascribable to exemption from taxes by 
an act of the Legislature which the new Constitution of the 
Commonwealth repeals. 
This exemption from taxation, which now seems likely to 
cease, is the sole assistance the Society has received from the 
State since its foundation in 1812. No conclusive reason is 
apparent why the great and enlightened Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania, rich, and populous, and prosperous, should not 
contribute as much at least as private citizens have done to 
foster the pursuit of the natural sciences. Massachusetts, in 
which brain-force is sedulously cultivated, and New York, have 
set precedents which Pennsylvania might follow, without en¬ 
dangering self-respect, greatly to the advantage of her citizens. 
The perpetuation of the Republic is contingent upon the intelli¬ 
gence of the people. Therefore, public policy demands that 
every possible encouragement should be given to every rational 
method devised to acquire knowledge and diffuse it among 
the people. 
Notwithstanding its pecuniary limit the work of the Society 
goes on. During the past year large and valuable additions 
to the museum and library have been made, and much that 
was hitherto unknown has been ascertained and described by 
