8 **
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 A NOTICE 
 
 ORIGIN, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT CONDITION 
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES 
 
 PHILADELPHIA 
 
 BY 
 
 W. S. W. RUSCHENBERGER, M.D. 
 
 JRGEON U. S. NAVY. 
 
 [Read before the Society, February 10, 1852.] 
 
 The profit we derive from the works of creation will be in proportion to the 
 accuracy of our knowledge of them and of their properties.' 
 KIRBY AND SPENCE. ENTOMOLOGY. 
 
 T. K. AND P. G. COLLINS, PRINTERS. 
 
 1852.
 
 PHILADELPHIA, February 12, 1852. 
 
 DR. W. S. W. RUSCHENBERGER. 
 
 DEAR SIR: According to the directions of the Academy of Natural Sciences 
 of Philadelphia, we transmit you a copy of the resolutions passed relative to 
 your "Notice of the Academy," recently read before it. 
 
 While we offer you our assurance of the pleasure afforded us in listening to 
 the pleasing details of the "Notice," we would congratulate you upon the grati- 
 fication you have been enabled to confer, not only upon the members of the 
 Academy but also upon all other persons interested in the progress of science, 
 by the rescue from oblivion of facts connected with the infancy and growth of 
 the Institution, which must become more and more valuable every year : as well 
 as by the satisfactory manner in which the records of its more recent events and 
 present condition are portrayed. 
 
 With much regard, we remain your fellow-members, 
 
 WM. S. VAUX. 
 
 ROBERT BRIDGES. 
 
 ROBERT PEARSALL. 
 
 HALL OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 February 10, 1852. 
 
 At a meeting of the Society held this evening, the following Resolutions were 
 unanimously adopted, viz. : 
 
 Resolved, That the members of the Academy have listened with the deepest 
 interest and satisfaction to the "Notice" just read. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of the Academy be presented to Dr. W. S. W. Rusch- 
 enberger for the labor he has bestowed in the preparation of the able and faithful 
 notice read by him before the Society, and that he be requested to furnish to the 
 "Committee on Proceedings" a copy of the same for publication. 
 
 Resolved, That Messrs. Wm. S. Vaux, Robert Bridges, M. D., and Robert 
 Pearsall, be a committee to communicate to Dr. Ruschenberger the foregoing 
 resolutions. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, February 13, 1852. 
 
 GENTLEMEN : I have had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 12th inst. 
 enclosing a copy of resolutions, adopted at a meeting of the Academy of Natural 
 Sciences on the 10th instant, conveying to me, in most agreeable terms, its appro- 
 bation of my attempt to record a true history of the Institution. 
 
 Your long association with the Academy, your intimate acquaintance with all 
 that belongs to it, and your knowledge of the details of every department, ac- 
 quired through years of personal labor, render your approval "of my "Address" 
 most valuable and gratifying. 
 
 A copy of the Address will be placed at the disposal of the " Committee on 
 Proceedings." 
 
 Accept the acknowledgments of your fellow-member, and believe me, 
 
 Very truly, yours, 
 W. S. W. RUSCHENBERGER. 
 
 WM. S. VAUX, ESQ., 
 
 ROBERT BRIDGES, M. D., \ Committee. 
 
 ROBERT PEARSALL, ESQ.,
 
 A NOTICE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 
 
 THE proclivities of the present age are eminently utilitarian. 
 Before engaging in any pursuit, men wish to know in what it can 
 profit them. Immediate and direct gain is an object of common 
 desire ; hence, those vocations which promise a speedy compen- 
 sation for labor are most popular, and the paths travelled by 
 those who have been fortunate in pursuit of wealth are most 
 eagerly sought. Agriculture, the mechanic arts, and commerce, 
 which supply the wants, the comforts, and luxuries of man, 
 employ the great masses of society. A love of wealth is a 
 stronger incentive to toil than benevolence ; the fame which 
 inures to a labor unproductive of palpable remuneration stimulates 
 but few. Those branches of learning and philosophy which 
 facilitate the acquisition of wealth, attract a larger number of 
 diligent votaries than those which advantageously influence the 
 condition of society, without adding to the pecuniary profit of 
 those who pursue them. 
 
 The utility, the beneficial influence, which natural history exer- 
 cises on the common interests of society is not commonly under- 
 stood, and, for this reason, the labors of naturalists are not very 
 generally appreciated. Indeed, a vague meaning seems to be 
 attached to the terms "natural history," and "natural sciences." 
 Unless men comprehend the meaning of these names they cannot 
 perceive the utility of, or set a value upon what they are used to 
 designate. 
 
 Science and knowledge are not synonymous ; there may be 
 knowledge without science. Acquired facts constitute knowledge ; 
 but a science consists of any group of congenial truths or facts, 
 
 394812
 
 4 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 arranged according to any rational method, which enables men 
 easily to perceive their general and mutual relations. Science, 
 then, simply means a systematic arrangement of acquired facts. 
 The natural sciences essentially consist in systematic arrangements 
 of the facts and phenomena observed in nature. 
 
 In the broad acceptation of the term, natural history includes 
 faithful descriptions of all natural objects. Natural science does 
 not consist merely in making a catalogue of all the plants and 
 animals on the surface of the globe; it embraces a history of the 
 structure, composition, mode of existence, and growth of all 
 natural objects, and seeks to ascertain the laws which determine 
 the innumerable shapes in which matter, both organic and inor- 
 ganic, presents itself to our senses. All the phenomena observed 
 in the atmosphere above, as well as in the earth beneath, fall 
 within its domain. Chemistry is included among the natural 
 sciences, because the laws which regulate the affinities, the 
 motions ever existing among the molecules or ultimate atoms 
 which constitute matter, are among the subjects pertaining to the 
 researches of naturalists. 
 
 A brief allusion to some branches of natural science will 
 enable us to perceive that its influence is advantageously felt in 
 many departments of those arts which contribute largely to the 
 well being of society. 
 
 Botany does not consist exclusively in distinguishing from each 
 other the various forms of vegetation, and recognizing them by 
 names derived from the Greek and Latin languages. It does not 
 teach us simply to divide the world's flora into orders, tribes, 
 families, genera, and species, according to an arbitrary system of 
 arrangement, and to know the peculiarities by which they may 
 be certainly distinguished, one from the other. Botany includes 
 a study of the anatomy and physiology of the vegetable king- 
 dom. Through this study we acquire a knowledge of the struc- 
 ture, mode of growth, and the kind of diet upon which plants 
 depend for sustenance, as well as the appropriate functions of 
 their several parts, and the circumstances which influence vegeta- 
 ble existence. From it we have learned that plants derive nourish- 
 ment from the earth, through means of roots whose function is to 
 separate from the soil those salts or other materials which enter 
 into the composition of their tissues ; and that, through the 
 medium of leaves, they breathe the air which is essential to their
 
 ACADEMY OF NATUKAL SCIENCES. 5 
 
 vitality, and, consequently, to the circulation of sap and other 
 liquids. 
 
 Such information is of no small value to the science of agri- 
 culture, which essentially consists in a knowledge of the most 
 successful means of feeding the various plants cultivated for food, 
 or for materials to be used in the arts and manufactures. When 
 the elementary composition of plants is ascertained through the 
 aid of chemistry, this knowledge of their vital functions enables 
 the agriculturist to select the soil, exposure, and manures best 
 adapted for each variety to obtain a lucrative crop. 
 
 But this is not the only manner in which natural history has 
 led to improved and rational modes of cultivation. The labors 
 of botanists have exploded many false notions which prevailed 
 among farmers, calculated to discourage efforts to protect their 
 crops from injurious influences. A power of self-transmutation 
 was once attributed to plants ; ignorant persons believed that some 
 species were capable' of metamorphosing themselves into others. 
 It was once asserted and believed that " barley frequently dege- 
 nerates into oats" and even now some credulous persons contend 
 that "wheat is sometimes transformed into bromus or cheat."* 
 
 Even purely descriptive botany may be usefully applied to _ 
 agriculture. Certain plants, which are injurious to cattle, will 
 be eaten by them when pasture is deficient ; and some noxious 
 plants will be eaten when dry and mingled with hay, which ani- 
 mals reject in the green state. A knowledge of descriptive 
 botany would enable the farmer to remove these, as well as pro- 
 fitless weeds, and thus improve his grounds for the advantage of 
 his stock. The wild flora of a country or district affords a 
 valuable indication of the nature of the soil and its subsoil. 
 " Thus, the heath on elevations indicates a dry soil ; the fern, that 
 it is deep as well as dry. The deer-hair (Scirpus ccespitosus] grows 
 commonly over bogs, resting on clay. In the lower situations, 
 the broom (Spartium scoparium) tenants the deep light gravels. 
 The whin, the coarser gravels upon a clay subsoil. The rush 
 (Juncus conglomeratus) tells the intelligent farmer that good land 
 is rendered useless for want of drainage. The common sprit 
 ( Juncus articulatus), that the land is not fertile. Sweet gale 
 
 * Memorials of John Bartram and Humphrey Marshall. By William 
 \ Darlington, M. D., LL. D., &c. Philad., 1849.
 
 6 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 \ 
 
 (Myrica Grate], that it is still worse. The rag-weed (Senecio jaco- 
 bsea\ in arable land, betrays an ill-cultivated loam. The marsh 
 marigold (OaltJia palmtris), or the wild water-cress in water 
 meadows, tells the owner that the land is fully irrigated. The 
 common rattle (Rhinanthus cTiristi] that a meadow is exhausted. 
 The pry (Carex dioica) that water is stagnating beneath its sur- 
 face ; and these are only a few of the truths which wild flowers 
 teach the intelligent cultivator. ' Botanists have, indeed, long 
 been at work for the farmer a fact no one will be willing to dis- 
 pute who remembers that the sloe, the blackberry, and the crab, 
 are nearly all the fruits indigenous to England; and that hardly 
 a grass, a flower, or a vegetable, that is now cultivated, is a native 
 of the island."* 
 
 It is to the study of botany we are indebted for a knowledge 
 of certain vegetable growths, which are destructive to timber. 
 " Mr. Schweinitz had, in his collection, fine specimens of the 
 Dematium aluta, taken out of the ships of war built by our 
 government, on Lake Erie, where, in a few years, he remarks, 
 1 this little fungulous enemy completely destroyed that fleet which 
 had so signally vanquished the armament of Britain.' "f 
 
 Linnaeus, "by his botanical knowledge, detected the cause of a 
 dreadful disease among the horned cattle of the north of Lap- 
 land, which had previously been thought equally unaccountable 
 and irremediable."| 
 
 A large portion of the materials employed in civil and naval 
 architecture, and many of our most valuable medicines, are de- 
 rived from the vegetable kingdom. It is estimated that at this 
 time there are about 85,000 species of plants, which have been 
 distinctly characterized. For the means of distinguishing them 
 from each other, and consequently, for the ability to recognize, 
 amidst the host, those adapted to the purposes for which we seek 
 them, we are indebted to the labors of botanists. 
 
 The department of natural history which relates to insects, 
 is less conspicuous than botany ; but it is not less important in 
 
 * The Farmer's Encyclopaedia. By Cuthbert W. Johnson, Esq., F. R. S., 
 &c. Adapted to the United States. By Gouverneur Emerson. Philadel- 
 phia, 1844. 
 
 f A Memoir of the late Lewis David Von Schweinitz, P. D. By Walter 
 R. Johnson. 1835. 
 
 % James E. Smith. Introduction to Botany.
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 7 
 
 its bearings on the interests of society. Naturalists have already 
 characterized about 80,000 species of insects, and their continued 
 investigations are still adding to the number. The crustaceans 
 (crabs), arachnidans (spiders), annelidans (worms), &c. &c., in all 
 about 130,000 species, were once included in the department of 
 entomology. 
 
 Insects are the scavengers of nature : in pursuit of food, they 
 remove from the surface vast quantities of decaying and putres- 
 cent matters, which, if left undisturbed, might so contaminate 
 the air as to render it poisonous to the inhabitants of the earth. 
 Everywhere they constitute a large part of the food of birds and 
 fishes ; and in some countries certain species are eaten by man. 
 
 Various insects are known to be injurious to the grains and 
 grasses of our fields ; to the fruit-trees of our orchards, and to 
 plants in conservatories. It is known that some species prey 
 upon others ; and that those which feed on the various aphides, or 
 plant-lice, may be employed to relieve us from the ravages of such 
 destroyers. 
 
 A knowledge of the habits, mode of life, and of the food of 
 the various kinds, leads to means of escaping the injuries which 
 many of them inflict, and of fostering those which are useful to 
 man. Doubtless there are some persons who are not aware that 
 most insects pass through four stages of existence : 1, the egg ; 
 2, the caterpillar ; 3, the chrysalis, and 4, the butterfly, or imago. 
 In order to guard against the ravages of insects, it is necessary 
 to know the stage of existence during which they are most inju- 
 rious, and also to be able to recognize the different shapes under 
 which they appear. Without a thorough knowledge of the phe- 
 nomena of insect metamorphosis, it is vain to attempt to control 
 their increase. The information of Linnaeus on this point, 
 enabled him to teach his countrymen to destroy an insect, the 
 Cantharis navalis, which had cost the Swedish government many 
 thousand pounds a year, by its ravages on the timber of one 
 dock-yard only. After its metamorphosis, and the season when 
 the fly laid its eggs were known, all its ravages were stopped by 
 immersing the timber in water during that period.* 
 
 In 1817, the late Mr. Thomas Say described the " Hessian 
 Fly," Oecidomyia destructor, which commits great ravages on 
 growing wheat ; and at the same time pointed out the Ceraphron 
 
 * Smith. Introduction to Botany.
 
 8 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 destructor, which probably restrains the increase of the first. It 
 deposits its eggs in the bodies of the larvae of the Hessian Fly, 
 and the young, when they escape from the egg, feed upon the 
 larva till it dies. 
 
 During the year 1849, Miss Morris, of Germantown, dis- 
 covered that the Tomicus liminaris of Mr. Say, is a destroyer 
 of the peach-tree. It bores through the bark and feeds upon the 
 living portion. She has stated also that the Baris tripunctatus, 
 of Mr. Say, is one of the destroyers of the potato, in the stem 
 of which its larvae undergo their metamorphoses. And Mr. S. S. 
 Haldeman ascertained that the Hylesinus aculeatus, of Say, 
 feeds upon the inner bark of the white ash, Fraxinus acuminata. 
 
 There was a time when a loathsome disease, which Van Hel- 
 mont tells us he contracted by shaking the gloved hand of a lady 
 friend, was treated by bleeding, purging, and sweating. Since 
 his days, investigations have demonstrated that this malady de- 
 pends upon the presence of an acarus the itch-insect and is to 
 be cured only by destroying the animal. There are several af- 
 fections attributed to the acarus tribe ; the ulcers caused by the 
 chigoe or jigger (Pulex penetrans), an insect which is prone 
 to burrow in human flesh, are familiarly spoken of by all who 
 have visited the tropics. The harvest-bug (Leptus autumnalis) 
 buries itself in the legs of laborers in the harvest-field, pro- 
 ducing intolerable itching and pain. In cases of plica polonica, 
 an affection of the scalp, we are told that millions of lice appear 
 on the third day of the disease. Numerous affections have been 
 traced to the larvae of flies deposited in the tissues of mammals ; 
 a disease familiarly known as the bots, which occurs in horses, 
 sheep, and in man, has this origin. Worms of several kinds are 
 known to thrive in the human body, and to produce disease. In- 
 deed, the affections known to be caused by insects, spiders, worms, 
 &c., are so numerous, that Easpail has ventured to construct a 
 system of medicine based upon the animate origin of diseases. 
 In his work, may be found a history of many affections, caused 
 by the presence of minute parasitic insects.* 
 
 Though many evils arise from insects, they are also the sources 
 of much that is good. The product of the silk-worm, the wax 
 
 * Histoire Naturelle de la Sant6 et de la Maladie chez lea veg6taux et 
 chez les animaux en general, et en particulier chez Phomme. Par F. V. 
 Raspail. Paris, 1843.
 
 ACADEMY OF NATUKAL SCIENCES. 9 
 
 and honey produced by the labor bees, are familiar to all. The 
 gall-nut, which forms the basis of one of the most valuable 
 articles known, I mean ink, is due to the labors of an insect on 
 a variety of oak. Gum ammoniac, the varieties of lac (shell-lac, 
 lac-lake, and stick-lac), have a similar origin. To various species 
 of coccus we are indebted for several important dyes, among the 
 most conspicuous of which is the cochineal. The varieties of 
 cantharides afford blistering materials ; and a tea made of bees 
 has been recently found useful in a distressing disease.* 
 
 Within a short time, the unexpected presence of microscopic 
 insects in certain regions has been supposed to show the course of 
 the winds ; when their habits and geographical distribution are 
 fully ascertained, their appearance in any unusual locality may 
 be relied upon as an indication of the direction of atmospheric 
 currents. 
 
 A class of animals which exercises an influence of such extent, 
 for good as well as for evil, over the condition of man, is surely 
 worthy of his attentive study. 
 
 Conchologists have described about 15,000 species of mollusks. 
 They afford food to man and other animals. The strata of the 
 earth records their antediluvian existence ; hence a knowledge of 
 conchology enables the geologist to recognize fossil shells, the 
 presence of which serve to characterize certain formations. 
 
 Herpetologists have made us [acquainted with about 2,000 
 species of reptiles, and established the means of distinguishing 
 those which are harmless and useful from those which are poison- 
 ous and fatal. 
 
 Naturalists have described about 10,000 species of fishes, a 
 class of animals from which man derives almost incalculable 
 benefits. To be convinced of the truth of this assertion, it is 
 only necessary to glance at the extent and value of the various 
 fisheries in the world. 
 
 About 6,000 species^ of birds have been described. _ The value 
 of the study of ornithology has been so beautifully stated by one 
 of the earliest members of the Academy, that I will quote his 
 language. Alexander Wilson, in the preface to the fifth volume 
 of his "American Ornithology" says : 
 
 " In treating of those birds more generally known, I have 
 endeavored to do impartial justice to their respective characters. 
 
 * Dunglison on New Remedies, p. 703. Philadelphia, 1851.
 
 10 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 Ignorance and stubborn-rooted opinions, even in this country, 
 have rendered some odious that are eminently useful ; and involved 
 the manners of others in fable and mystery, which in themselves 
 are plain and open as day. To remove prejudices, "when they 
 oppose themselves to the influence of humanity, is a difficult, and 
 when effected, a most pleasing employment. If, therefore, in 
 divesting this part of natural history of our country of many of 
 its fables and most forbidding features, and thus enabling our 
 youth to become more intimately acquainted with this charming 
 portion of the feathered creation, I should have succeeded in 
 multiplying their virtuous enjoyments, and in rendering them 
 more humane to those little choristers, how gratifying to my heart 
 would be the reflection ! For, to me, it appears that, of all infe- 
 rior creatures, Heaven seems to have intended birds as the most 
 cheerful associates of man ; to soothe and exhilarate him in his 
 labors by their varied melody, of which no other creature but 
 man is capable ; to prevent the increase of those inferior hosts of 
 insects that would soon consume the products of his industry; to 
 glean up the refuse of his fields, 'that nothing may be lost/ and, 
 what is of much more interest, to be to him the most endearing 
 examples of the tenderest connubial love and parental affection." 
 
 Under the head of mammalogy, naturalists have described 
 about 2,000 species of animals, which, while young, subsist on 
 the milk of their mothers. All known quadrupeds, whales,, 
 dolphins, &c., are included in this class.. Amongst them-^re 
 our beasts of burden, the cattle of our fields, and domesticated 
 animals of many kinds. They are familiar to all ; but perhaps, 
 every one is not aware that a full knowledge of their nature con- 
 tributes to the improvement of agricultural stock, and affords 
 indications of rational methods of treating the diseases to which 
 domestic animals are obnoxious. 
 
 Mineralogy teaches the characters by which simple minerals 
 or stones may be recognized and distinguished from each other. 
 The costly errors into which persons totally ignorant of this 
 science have fallen illustrates its utility. A man in England 
 found upon his farm a great quantity of sulphate of barytes, 
 and, believing from its weight that it must be a rich ore of leadj 
 expended a large sum in building a furnace for smelting it v 
 Another paid a considerable amount of money for a few pieces 
 of white topaz, which he conceived to be diamonds. Men in
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 11 
 
 other respects intelligent, producing iron pyrites, in triumphant 
 proof that they have discovered a mine of gold, is an event of 
 frequent occurrence. About a hundred years ago, a house was 
 built in Baltimore of bricks imported from England; yet beneath 
 the site of the garden, and neatly laid out grounds, once the 
 pride of the owner, was a bed of clay which has afforded and 
 continues to afford material for millions of bricks. A very slight 
 knowledge of mineralogy would have been sufficient to prevent 
 such blunders. 
 
 Chemistry is essential to a perfect acquaintance with miner- 
 alogy. The utility of chemistry is perhaps more generally 
 palpable than any other branch of natural science. To the labors 
 of chemical philosophers society is indebted for many comforts 
 and luxuries. The discovery of a gas adapted to the purposes of 
 illumination has been followed by trades and occupations not 
 previously known or required ; gas-fitting, and the manufacture of 
 gas, as well as daguerreotyping, are among the vocations brought 
 into existence exclusively through the study of chemistry. 
 Indeed, the applications of this beautiful science to the practical 
 purposes of mankind are almost innumerable. 
 
 Geology cannot be successfully prosecuted without a knowledge 
 of other branches of natural science. Mineralogy is necessary 
 to understand the composition of aggregate rocks; and botany 
 and the different departments of zoology enable us to trace back, 
 through the progress of time, the various steps in the formation 
 of the earth to a period in the creation when no organic form ex- 
 isted, either upon dry land or beneath the waters. The record is 
 indelibly written in the fossil remains of animals and plants ; and 
 it cannot be read by one entirely ignorant of osteology and com- 
 parative anatomy. 
 
 A knowledge of geology is valuable to the engineer in locating 
 roads. The study of geology and mineralogy has developed 
 those principles which facilitate the search for coal-beds and veins 
 of metallic ores; clays used in the manufacture of the varieties 
 of porcelain, pottery, and bricks ; quarries of marble and stone ; 
 and through this study architects may acquire knowledge which 
 will assist them in judging of the strength, durability, and com- 
 parative value of the varieties of building stone, and in selecting 
 those best adapted to their purposes. The utility of geology has 
 been publicly acknowledged: many States of the Union have
 
 12 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 been at the expense of geological surveys, for the purpose of 
 ascertaining their mineral resources. 
 
 A knowledge of natural history, generally, facilitates the 
 economic exploration of new countries, and enables the traveller, 
 almost at a glance, to perceive the nature of the soil and climate, 
 as well as the value and qualities of their vegetable and mineral 
 productions. But among the many benefits which the ' natural 
 sciences confer upon society, there is none more valuable than the 
 assistance they afford to the study of the laws of life, upon an accu- 
 rate knowledge of which a rational system of medicine, a true medi- 
 cal science, must be based. Physiology is indebted for its present 
 state of advancement, almost exclusively to the assiduous culti- 
 vation of the natural sciences. 
 
 The rapid sketch above given is sufficient to indicate the use- 
 fulness of the natural sciences. Notwithstanding the utility, 
 their cultivation has been erroneously supposed to lead to reli- 
 gious infidelity; and, therefore, its votaries have been regarded 
 with suspicion. The history of the progress of geology records 
 how violently prejudice and ignorance were arrayed in opposition 
 to the investigations of natural objects. There was a time when, 
 "had there been a Protestant inquisition in England," says Sir 
 David Brewster, " the geologists of the north would have been 
 immured in its deepest dungeons." 
 
 " Truth, however, marched apace ; and, though her simple 
 and majestic procession be often solemn and slow, and her vota- 
 ries few and dejected; yet on this, as on every occasion, she 
 triumphed over the most inveterate prepossessions, and finally 
 took up her abode in those very halls and institutions where she 
 had been persecuted and reviled. When their science had been 
 thus acquitted of the charge of impiety and irreligion, the mem- 
 bers of the Geological Society left their humble and timid position 
 of being the collectors only of the materials of future generaliza- 
 tions, and became at once the most successful observers of 
 geological phenomena, and the boldest 'asserters of geological 
 truth."* 
 
 Nothing has been formed in vain. It is among the pleasures 
 of a Christian to believe that God, in his bountiful goodness, 
 
 * Hugh Miller : Sketches of his Life and Writings. By Sir David Brews- 
 ter, Bart.
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 13 
 
 created every animate and inanimate thing in nature for the 
 benefit of man. A sense of gratitude alone should induce him 
 to examine and learn the properties of those gifts, upon the 
 proper use and appreciation of which depend, in a great degree, 
 his health, his happiness, and duration of life in this world. 
 
 To understand natural history perfectly in all its departments, 
 is to he able to perceive and describe the wonders of the crea- 
 tion. Every step in its study is a step in the pursuit of truth. 
 No man can follow long in the path without being convinced that 
 material atoms possess in themselves no formative quality, which 
 enables them to unite spontaneously to produce an animal, a 
 vegetable, or a mineral form. The complex arrangement, the 
 adaptation of parts to each other, the economy of means in the 
 fulfilment of a definite purpose, indicate that design existed pre- 
 vious to the existence of organic form and life. It is impossible 
 to believe that atoms are self-endowed with ability to aggregate 
 themselves together into any organized shape at pleasure, either 
 as a bird, or snail, or other being, in obedience to impulses of 
 affection or aversion. The student of nature must perceive 
 there is no spontaneity in matter, and that the infinitely various 
 forms which result from the combination of its elements, are due 
 exclusively to laws imposed upon them in the beginning, by the 
 OMNISCIENT MASTER AND ARCHITECT of all created things. 
 
 A naturalist cannot be an atheist. Absolute truth, which " is 
 the extreme limit of human knowledge," includes no incom- 
 patibility. The facts and phenomena of the physical universe 
 are in beautiful harmony with each other, and those who observe 
 them understandingly are inevitably led to bow in humble adora- 
 tion before the inscrutable First Cause. The phenomena of 
 God's works cannot be inconsistent with God's truth, with God's 
 revelations to man. When partially, or imperfectly observed, 
 facts may seem to conflict with each other, and with the sacred 
 Word; but the moment all their mutual relations have been 
 ascertained, the perfect harmony which exists between the facts 
 of the universe and their Creator becomes manifest. 
 
 To ascertain and understand the laws of God, exhibited in the 
 structure of the globe, and in the living organizations which 
 exist on its surface ; to bring to light whatever may lie hidden 
 in the obscure recesses of nature ; to expose Truth in her naked- 
 ness, stripped of the distorting disguises in which ignorance and
 
 14 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 superstition combine to hide her charms from the gaze of man- 
 kind, are among the objects of the natural sciences. Such ob- 
 jects are not and cannot be inconsistent with the duties or the 
 feelings of a true Christian. 
 
 The study of natural history has a happy influence in the 
 cultivation of the intellect. While it tends to tranquillize and 
 strengthen the mind, and to release it from the thraldom of 
 superstition and credulity, it refines the taste, and teaches man 
 to appreciate justly the beauties and wisdom of nature. It is a 
 drill, an exercise of the faculties in discriminating resemblances 
 and in contrasting differences, and in the separation of truth from 
 error. It enables us " to derive from objects that everywhere 
 present themselves in our rural walks, not only amusement and 
 instruction, but the highest incitements to piety and virtue."* 
 If it had no other object than to familiarize man with the won- 
 ders of the creation, intelligent people must perceive in this a 
 sufficient inducement to encourage its study. 
 
 To corroborate the assertion that the study of the natural 
 sciences is not incompatible with Christianity, a number of pious 
 clergymen who have acquired wide-spread reputation as geolo- 
 gists, botanists, &c., might be named, though it does not seem 
 necessary. Nor is this study inconsistent with any of the voca- 
 tions of life. It may be pursued as an accomplishment, as men 
 study music or drawing ; or as a pleasant relaxation from ordi- 
 nary duties, or as an agreeable occupation for their leisure 
 hours. In this connection, it may be stated that the Academy 
 of Natural Sciences owes its present condition entirely to the 
 labors of its members, nearly all of whom have been daily occu- 
 pied, from necessity, in the practice of the professions, or as 
 merchants, or manufacturers, or mechanics. Theoretically, this 
 Society does not consist of men already learned; but of men who 
 desire to become acquainted with Nature and her laws, and who 
 are fully sensible of the great benefits which increased knowledge 
 of the creation must confer upon mankind. In a word, the in- 
 stitution is an academy, a school of learners rather than an asso- 
 ciation of learned men. 
 
 It is urged that the natural sciences are eminently useful to 
 agriculture, to the arts, and to medicine, and for this reason, 
 
 * Life of Alexander Wilson. By George Ord, F.L. S., &c.
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 15 
 
 their study is worthy of the fostering care and encouragement 
 of the community. But an opinion is not to be inferred, from this, 
 and attributed to the writer, that it is necessary or even proper 
 that every farmer, every artisan, and every physician should be 
 a naturalist. We know that men, ignorant of natural history, 
 successfully cultivate the soil, work at various trades, and prac- 
 tice medicine; but it cannot be denied that those vocations, 
 many of them very lucrative, derive the principles upon which 
 they are based from the studies and investigations of naturalists. 
 One object of such studies is to ascertain and establish principles, 
 and to render them so plain, and simple in application to every- 
 day pursuits, that they may be available to those of least learn- 
 ing and intelligence. It needs no argument to prove that the 
 successful pursuit of such an object is useful and worthy of 
 commendation. The influence of the natural sciences is analo- 
 gous to that of mathematics, which is everywhere regarded as 
 an essential branch of liberal education. Very few of the thou- 
 sands of men who navigate the ocean, build ships, construct 
 steam-engines and various complicated machines, and guide them 
 when in operation, have studied the problems of Euclid, or 
 even heard of the Principia of Newton ; but no one has ever 
 been bold enough to assert, for such reasons, that the science of 
 mathematics is not essential to the art of navigation, to naval 
 architecture, or to the vocations of millwrights, machinists, or 
 engineers. 
 
 A few of our fellow-citizens, aware of the benefits which flow 
 from an accurate and minute knowledge of natural objects, to 
 every class in society, have joined together, in a spirit of bene- 
 volence and liberality, to furnish means for the cultivation of the 
 natural sciences. The result of their efforts, through a period 
 of forty years, is seen in the Library and Museum of this Institu- 
 tion, which are accessible by the public without cost, and without 
 any restrictions other than those necessary to preserve them from 
 injury or loss. Gratuitous tickets of admission to the Museum 
 on Tuesdays and Fridays, may be obtained by applying to any 
 member of the Institution. 
 
 The Hall of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 
 stands at the north-west corner of Broad and George Streets, on 
 a lot of ground measuring fifty by one hundred and twenty feet. 
 The building is of brick, fire-proof throughout, and unpretending
 
 16 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 in its exterior design and finish. It extends forty-five feet on 
 Broad, and one hundred and fifteen feet on George Streets, with 
 an elevation of fifty feet. When built, in the year 1839, the 
 George Street front was eighty-five feet ; but, in 1847, the edifice 
 was enlarged to its present dimensions, to accommodate the 
 Wilson collection of birds. The hall is divided into a basement 
 and a single story above. 
 
 It is accessible by two doors ; the George Street door opens to 
 the Library only ; the front or Broad Street entrance is used, 
 almost exclusively, by visitors to the Museum. 
 
 The principal story consists of a single apartment or saloon. 
 It is one hundred and ten feet long, and forty-two feet wide, and 
 is lighted from the roof and the east and west extremities. On 
 the north and south sides are three galleries, which, with the 
 exception of the lowest, are supported by graceful iron columns ; 
 four ranges of vertical cases are placed against the walls, and a 
 range of foot-cases, at the outer edge of the second and third 
 galleries. Shallow cases are suspended horizontally on the rail 
 of the lowest or flying gallery. On the west side are three gal- 
 leries and four ranges of vertical cases. The floor is occupied 
 by three ranges of broad horizontal cases, extending the length 
 of the hall ; and each is surmounted in the centre line by a 
 series of vertical cases, two feet and a half high, glazed on both 
 sides. 
 
 At the eastern, or Broad Street extremity, on each side, is a 
 strong vertical case, containing the skeletons of large fossil 
 saurians, imbedded in massive slabs of lias limestone. Above 
 the case on the south side are suspended the portraits of William 
 Maclure, William Hembel, and Samuel George Morton ; and 
 above that of the north side, those of Thomas Say, George Ord, 
 and Gerard Troost, all distinguished members, and, during many 
 years of their lives, official servants of the Institution. 
 
 The basement is divided into five apartments ; two on the west, 
 two on the east, and one on the north of the hall, or vestibule 
 connected with the George Street entrance. 
 
 The north-east basement room is nine feet by sixteen, and has 
 a gallery with two ranges of vertical cases on three sides of it. 
 
 The east basement room is forty-one feet in length by forty 
 in breadth, with a gallery and two ranges of vertical cases on 
 four sides. Vertical cases form a central partition, which has a
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 17 
 
 continuous gallery on each side. Horizontal cases occupy the 
 floor. 
 
 The north basement-room is twenty by twenty-eight feet ; it 
 is used as a workshop. 
 
 The south-west basement-room is twenty by twenty-four feet. 
 It is surrounded by a gallery and two ranges of vertical cases. 
 
 The west basement-room is twenty-eight by forty-two feet. It 
 has a gallery and two ranges of vertical cases on its I four walls, 
 and cases extend from the north and south sides, several feet 
 towards the centre. This apartment communicates with the 
 main saloon by a flight of broad stairs. 
 
 The south and west rooms contain the library ; the sessions of 
 the Society are held in the latter. 
 
 This brief description of the building will serve to introduce 
 the reader to the several departments of the Museum. 
 
 The collections are extensive in several departments, and, with 
 very few exceptions, all are still in process of classification. The 
 entire work of arrangement devolves upon the members, whose 
 ordinary vocations permit them to devote to it only the leisure 
 moments which most men spend in amusements. Only a few of 
 them, a part of those composing the standing committees, afe 
 able to give any portion of the day to assist in this very tedious 
 task. Every department receives a due share of attention ; and 
 though all advance slowly, enough has been accomplished to de- 
 serve high commendation. It should be remembered that no 
 pecuniary profit accrues from the labor and pains bestowed in 
 labelling and displaying the very many thousands of objects, 
 which have been brought together here, for the sole purpose of 
 -diffusing knowledge among our fellow-citizens. 
 
 It is our pleasure to hope that the Academy will be cheered on 
 in its course, till the Museum shall become an epitome of all 
 created things ; so fully displayed, that the student may resort to 
 it with a certainty of learning what has been ascertained in the 
 world of nature; just as inventors now seek the Patent Office 
 to learn whether they have been preceded in mechanical discovery, 
 before offering to the public any machine which they suppose to 
 be new. Here should be seen representatives from every de- 
 partment of the earthly creation collected from every accessible 
 region from mountain, and valley, and plain ; from rivers, and 
 lakes, and seas; and the burial-places, far down beneath the sur- 
 2
 
 18 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 face whereon man dwells, should be made to yield from their stony 
 embrace, those petrified relics of a past, which has no history 
 except what they record. The Museum of the Academy should 
 be, indeed, an office filled with Nature's patents, in which all may 
 behold the wonders it has pleased an all-wise Creator to devise 
 for the benefit and instruction of man. 
 
 The collections of the Academy may be considered under 
 eighteen different heads. 
 
 1. MAMMALOGY. 
 
 The difficulty and expense of obtaining large quadrupeds, and 
 the space required for their proper display, have opposed the in- 
 crease of this department of the Museum. Indeed, it scarcely 
 had a beginning until within a few years. Among those who 
 early contributed to it, were Mr. John Speakman, Mr. Jacob 
 Gilliams, Dr. Harlan, Mr. Reuben Haines, Dr. M. Burrough, 
 Dr. C. Hering, Dr. Wm. Blanding, Dr. Ruschenberger, and 
 some others. But, within five years past, this collection has been 
 much augmented by donations from Dr. T. B. Wilson, Dr. J. K. 
 Townsend, W. E. Strickland, Esq., Rev. Dr. Bachman, Capt. 
 Wm. McMichael, Dr. G. Watson, Mr. Wm. Wood, Mr. L. J. 
 Germain, the Smithsonian Institute, Dr. E. K. Kane, of the 
 navy, and others. 
 
 The mammals are placed in cases on the floor of the main hall, 
 beneath the north flying gallery. The collection, though not ex- 
 tensive, contains representatives of most of the American genera ; 
 and many of the specimens possess very considerable interest. 
 Among those worthy of mention here, are the original specimen 
 of the Clilamyphorus truncatus, a small animal described by Dr. 
 Harlan; an albino deer (Cervus Virginianus), presented by Dr. 
 Wilson; the original specimen of Lupus gigas, or giant wolf, 
 described by Dr. J. K. Townsend ; and the sacred monkey of Siam, 
 or Hylolates agitts.* 
 
 Dr. J. K. Townsend presented a collection of mammals, made 
 during his visit to Oregon, and the Rocky Mountains. We are 
 indebted to Dr. Wilson, for a hundred specimens, originally de- 
 
 * A specimen of Hippopotamus Liberiensis, which is at this time unique, 
 was received in January, 1852, since thia notice was prepared.
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 19 
 
 scribed by C. L. Bonaparte, in his " Fauna Italica" ; and to Dr. 
 E. K. Kane, of the navy, for an Esquimaux dog, and a very fine 
 specimen of Ursus maritimus, or polar bear, killed by him during 
 a recent voyage to the Arctic regions, in search of Sir John Frank- 
 lin. As soon as practicable, recent additions to the Museum are 
 appropriately mounted. 
 
 The collection of mammals, including those in alcohol, in skin, 
 and mounted, numbers 636 specimens, representing about 200 
 species of 90 genera. 
 
 2. ORNITHOLOGY. 
 
 The attention of members of the Academy was attracted to 
 this department of natural science at an early period. The pub- 
 lication of Wilson's American Ornithology, about the time of the 
 foundation of the Institution, and works on this subject by George 
 Ord, Charles Lucien Bonaparte, and J. J. Audubon, published 
 in succession, widely diffused a taste for this elegant study. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Say, (whose early social association with Mr. Wm. 
 Bartram, and Alexander Wilson, probably directed his attention 
 to the study of birds,) was the first to present specimens to the 
 Museum. He and Mr. Gilliams commenced this department. 
 
 In the year 1837, the collection contained about 1,000 species, 
 of which one half were displayed in the cases. This series in- 
 cluded 250 species of the birds of Surinam, presented by Dr. 
 Hering ; and more than 200 species of the birds of India, many 
 of them rare, had been presented by the late Dr. Burrough, " who, 
 during his extensive travels in Hindostan, the Indian Archipelago, 
 and South America, [always] availed himself of every occasion to 
 increase [the Academy's] collections in all departments of Natural 
 History." " Much is also owing," says Dr. Morton, " to the liber- 
 ality of Mr. Audubon, Dr. McEuen, Dr. Mervin, Dr. Huffnagle, 
 Dr. J. W. Russell, Dr. McMurtrie, Dr. Harlan, Mr. J. K. Town- 
 send, Dr. Ruschenberger, Dr. J. C. Jenkins, Dr. Trudeau, and 
 the late Mr. W. S. Warder ; but, in this department, the Society 
 is under particular obligations to Dr. McEuen, by whose personal 
 exertions the collection has mainly attained its present extent and 
 admirable preservation in the short period of eight years."* 
 
 * Notice of the Academy of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia. Fourth, 
 edition, 1837.
 
 20 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 Since the time when the ahove notice was written, the collection 
 of birds, which is exhibited in the principal hall of the Academy, 
 has grown to be the most extensive and the very best in the world. 
 Its progress is intimately blended with that of the Institution ; 
 its history may be properly related in this place. 
 
 From 1837 until the commencement of the year 1846, about 
 550 specimens were added to this collection through the liberality 
 of Mr. John Cassin, Mr. S. F. Baird, Dr. George C. Leib, Dr. 
 A. L. Heerman, Mr. S. W. Woodhouse, Mr. John Morphett, Dr. 
 G. Watson, 'and others. In the year 1842, Professor Holbrook 
 presented 76 specimens, part of the collection of Mr. Ruppell; 
 and in February 1846, the late R. C. Taylor, Esq. presented a 
 collection of birds from Cuba. 
 
 In September, 1846, Dr. T. B. Wilson deposited in the Academy 
 more than 12,000 specimens, a collection made in Paris, by the 
 Prince of Essling, Due de Rivoli, which Dr. Wilson purchased 
 through the agency of his brother Mr. Edward Wilson, a corre- 
 spondent of the Academy, resident in England. To accommodate 
 this large and magnificent collection, Dr. Wilson enlarged the 
 building to its present dimensions at his private expense ; and in 
 November, all the ornithological specimens belonging to the Insti- 
 tution were merged in it. The south-west basement-room was 
 completed, and the Society met in it for the first time, May 4, 
 1847. 
 
 In the same month, Dr. Wilson purchased in England a col- 
 lection of Australian birds, made by the distinguished ornithologist 
 Mr. John Gould ; it consists of about 2,000 specimens, and com- 
 prises those from which the drawings were made for his splendid 
 work, " The Birds of Australia." This addition induced Dr. 
 Wilson, with the ready assent of the Academy, to prepare the 
 lecture-room in the basement, which had been rarely needed, for 
 the reception of a part of the Museum. 
 
 During the same year the Academy received about 1,000 speci- 
 mens, which constituted the fine collection of parrots, and coni- 
 rostral birds, made by M. Boucier, an ornithologist, of the city 
 of Lyons. 
 
 Subsequently, a collection of birds of Western America, made 
 by Dr. Wm. Gambel; and another of birds of Western Africa, 
 made by Mr. John Cassin, during a period of about fifteen 
 years, were added by Dr. Wilson. Mr. Edward Harris presented
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 21 
 
 several specimens of unusual value, together with his entire col- 
 lection, made during the long period of his association with Mr. 
 Auduhon. 
 
 Various collections, including several hundred specimens from 
 the Museum of the celebrated ornithologist M. Temminck, of Ley- 
 den, as well as a large number from the British Museum, making 
 an aggregate of several thousands, have been obtained through 
 the exertions of Mr. Edward Wilson, and are now in the cases. 
 
 Mr. E. L. Kern has deposited many valuable specimens, col- 
 lected in the various expeditions of exploration under the com- 
 mand of Colonel Fremont. 
 
 Nearly 1,000 specimens, collected in the interior of India, by 
 Captain Boys, of the British army, many of which are new and 
 rare, have also been received. 
 
 Valuable contributions to this department have been made by 
 Colonel George A. McCall, TJ. S. Army. 
 
 In the month of December, 1851, the collection of Mr. John 
 Krider, consisting of 2,000 specimens, was procured by Dr. 
 T. B. Wilson, and is now in the hall. 
 
 Arrangements have been made in Europe, to add still whatever 
 may be new or rare in ornithology. 
 
 The collection is estimated to contain at this time 27,000 speci- 
 mens ; of these not less than 22,000 are displayed in the cases, 
 to which number additions are made almost daily. Of very many 
 genera all the species known are exhibited ; but, until the classi- 
 fication and catalogue are completed, the precise number of 
 species cannot be readily ascertained. 
 
 Mr. John Cassin is constantly employe4 in arranging this truly 
 magnificent collection. He is preparing an exact catalogue of 
 all the species, not simply by making a list of names attached to 
 them, but by careful study and comparison, ascertaining precisely 
 the species of every individual specimen, without relying upon 
 the label attached to it in any case. The labor involved in this 
 work cannot be duly appreciated except by those who have been 
 occupied in a similar task. Catalogues of three families of birds 
 thus scrutiniziugly prepared, in which the synonymes of each 
 species are given with the authorities for them, have been pub- 
 lished with the "Proceedings of the Academy;" and similar 
 catalogues of other families are nearly ready for the press. From 
 the printed catalogues, the following summary is deduced, which
 
 22 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 may be regarded as a fair representation of the extent of the 
 
 collection. 
 
 Genera. Species. Specimens. 
 
 VULTURID^ (Vultures) 8 16 68 
 
 STRIGIDJE (Owls) 13 92 374 
 
 CAPRIMULGHLE (Goatsuckers) 17 73 261 
 
 All the species of vultures hitherto described are in the cabi- 
 net. The . completeness of this family is remarkable, for the 
 reason that rapacious birds are captured with more difficulty than 
 those of other tribes. 
 
 As may be easily conjectured, this cabinet is of very great 
 value to the student of ornithology. In many instances nume- 
 rous specimens are exhibited, to show the differences which arise 
 in the same species, from difference of sex, of age, and period 
 of plumage. Very many species are represented by the speci- 
 mens, some of which are unique, originally described, and made 
 known by distinguished ornithologists ; and thus, the collection 
 affords facilities for comparison, and verification of special in- 
 quiries, which no other possesses to an equal extent. In many 
 instances the common English name is added to the label ; but 
 in very many cases birds have been named for the first time, and 
 introduced to notice by naturalists, and, therefore, possess no other 
 than the classic or systematic appellation originally given to 
 them. 
 
 Oology. In connection with the ornithological cabinet is a 
 collection of birds' eggs and nests, exhibited in the shallow cases, 
 which are suspended on the railing of the lowest or flying gal- 
 lery of the principal hail. 
 
 Dr. S. W. Woodhouse, Dr. A. L. Heerman, Dr. Geo. C. Leib, 
 Mr. Samuel Ashmead, and Professor S. F. Baird, of the Smith- 
 sonian Institution, have contributed largely to the cabinet of 
 birds' eggs and nests. In September, 1850, Dr. T. B. Wilson 
 presented an extensive collection made in Paris, by M. 0. Des 
 Murs, at considerable cost, through a very long period of time. 
 It contains 3,449 specimens, of 1,281 species and 10 nests. The 
 Sme gentleman presented Mr. Gould's collection of eggs of 
 Australian birds ; it comprises 976 specimens of 303 species, and 
 33 nests. The aggregate number of specimens of these two col-
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 23 
 
 lections is 4,425 ; and of species, deducting duplicates, 1,526, of 
 which number 1,278 are determined. 
 
 The total number of birds' nests in the Academy is 214 ; the 
 number of specimens of birds' eggs 5,056, of which 1,368 species 
 are determined. 
 
 The cases contain at this time 4,450 specimens. 
 
 This collection of birds' eggs is not equalled by any one in 
 Europe. 
 
 3. ICHTHYOLOGY. 
 
 The collection of fishes is placed in the east basement-room. 
 
 In his "Notice of the Academy," in 1837, Dr. Morton says: 
 " The collection of fishes is as yet comparatively inconsiderable. 
 A series of those inhabiting the waters of Guiana has been pre- 
 sented by Dr. Hering. Dr. Burrough has deposited an inte- 
 resting collection from some of the remoter provinces of India, 
 and the American species have of late received considerable ac- 
 cessions." 
 
 There are 750 glass jars or bottles, each containing several 
 fishes in alcohol ; and 372 dry preparations, of which 170 are 
 the original specimens described by C. L. Bonaparte, in his 
 "Fauna Italica," and presented by Dr. T. B. Wilson. The num- 
 ber of species has not yet been ascertained. It is estimated 
 that the aggregate number of specimens is at least 1,500, of about 
 700 species. 
 
 This department has received donations from Dr. J. Carson, 
 Messrs. W. B. Maul, Philip Lowry, and others. 
 
 4. HERPETOLOGY. 
 
 The collection of reptiles is placed on the galleries of the east 
 and north-east basement-rooms. 
 
 From Dr. Morton's "Notice," in 1837, we learn that this de- 
 partment is especially indebted to the exertions of Dr. Harlan, 
 Dr. Burrough, Dr. Blanding, and Dr. Hering. During the year 
 1830, the latter gentleman presented upwards of 200 species of 
 the serpents, and other reptiles of the north-eastern regions of 
 South America. 
 
 Professor Holbrook has presented the specimens originally de-
 
 24 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 scribed in his work on "American Herpetology ;" and donations 
 have been received, at different times, from Mr. James Read, Mr. 
 W. S. Vaux, Mr. Isaac G. Strain, U. S. Navy, Mr. B. M. Nor- 
 man, Dr. Goheen, Dr. C. W. Pennock, Dr. Goddard, Dr. Rey- 
 nell Coates, Mr. J. H. Couper, Dr. G. Watson, Dr. Hallowell, 
 Mr. W. L. Bispham, Mr. Saml. Ashmead, Mr. Ed. Donnelly, Dr. 
 Ruschenberger, Mr. W. L. Jones, of Georgia, and others. In 
 January, 1851, Professor Franklin Bache presented the collec- 
 tion of reptiles made by the late Dr. Jacob Green. 
 
 There are in this department of the museum 1,056 glass jars, 
 or bottles, containing species in alcohol, and 159 dry prepara- 
 tions. The number of specimens is estimated at 2,000 ; but the 
 number of species has not been ascertained.* There is also a 
 small collection of eggs of reptiles. 
 
 This cabinet, it is believed, will compare favorably with any 
 in the United States, and is not surpassed by many in Europe. 
 
 5. C02JCHOLOGY. 
 
 The collection of shells and mollusks is placed in the east base- 
 ment-room. 
 
 According to an estimate made in 1837, this department con- 
 tained 2,000 species. " The Academy is under particular obli- 
 gations to Dr. Burrough, Dr. Ruschenberger, Captain Land, Mr. 
 Poulson, Mr. J. K. Townsend, Mr. Nut-tall, and Mr. and Mrs. 
 T. Say, for their contributions to the series of marine shells. 
 An interesting part of the collection is formed by the fresh-water 
 and land shells, collected and presented by Col. Long, Dr. Bur- 
 rough, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Lea, Mr. Hyde, Mr. J. M. Earle, Mr. 
 J. Ronaldson, Dr. Hildreth, and Dr. Pennock."f 
 
 Since the publication of the above statement, the collection of 
 shells has been very much augmented. 
 
 In the year 1849, Dr. R. E. Griffith presented more than 
 12,000 specimens, of 4,907 species of shells, which he had col- 
 lected, during a long series of years, at very considerable cost 
 
 * In December, 1848, the number of species was, batrachia, 120; 
 eauria, 150 ; ophidia, 242 ; chelonia? (not stated.) 
 
 f Notice of the Academy of Natural Sciences. By Samuel George 
 Morton, M. D. Fourth edition, 1837.
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 25 
 
 and labor. In the same year, more than 3,500 specimens, of 
 1,707 species, were added by Dr. T. B. Wilson. Three hundred 
 and twenty-eight specimens of 111 species of Australian, New 
 Zealand, and South Sea Island shells were obtained, in ex- 
 change, from the "Australian Museum;" and 204 specimens of 
 105 species were received from Mr. McAndrew, of England, Dr. 
 Gould, of Boston, Mr. Thompson, of Belfast, Ireland, Mr. Wat- 
 son, of South Africa, and from other sources. 
 
 In the year 1850, 107 species from various localities were 
 presented, principally by Mr. Ed. Verreaux, of Paris, Dr. Mc- 
 Cartee, of China, and Messrs. E. T. and Chas. W. Wilson. 
 
 This collection contains about 25,000 specimens of about 8,000 
 species ; besides 48 species of cephalopods and other mollusks, and 
 7 species of ascidiae, in alcohol. 
 
 Dr. Griffith was engaged in arranging this collection at the 
 time of his death. 
 
 6. ENTOMOLOGY. 
 
 The collection of insects is placed in a small room at the north- 
 east corner of the principal saloon. 
 
 This department has received large contributions from Dr. 
 Hering, Mr. T. E. Peale, and the late Mr. Thomas Say, who 
 verbally bequeathed his entire collection to the Academy in the 
 year 1834. 
 
 In the year 1837, the fine cabinet of coleopterous insects pre- 
 sented by Dr. McMurtrie and Dr. Pickering, was placed in the 
 hands of an experienced entomologist at a distance, to be re- 
 arranged and intercalated with the remaining specimens of Mr. 
 Say's cabinet, which had been previously confided to the care of 
 the same gentleman. After five years, the collections were 
 returned to the Academy, in March, 1842, but, unfortunately, in 
 such a state of ruin and dilapidation as to be almost useless. 
 
 The destruction of the once fine collection of coleoptera and 
 lepidoptera, discouraged for a time those members who were par- 
 ticularly interested in the study of entomology ; but in the year 
 1843, a new method of preserving these animals was devised, 
 which, it is believed, has proved to be entirely successful ; and 
 not long after this date, a spirit of increased activity and energy 
 was infused into the Institution, by rich contributions made to
 
 26 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 other departments. The entomologists of the Academy were 
 roused to renewed exertion ; and the present collection of insects, 
 it is confidently hoped, although it was commenced, it may be 
 said, not more than five years since, will very soon surpass that 
 which was lost. 
 
 The insects are arranged in boxes, made to resemble folio 
 volumes, about two and a half inches thick ; two sides of the 
 boxes are glass, protected on the outside by movable covers, like 
 those of a book. A label on the back of each designates the 
 class to which its contents belong ; and a catalogue or index is 
 written on the inside of the left-hand cover. The series on the 
 shelves of the cases might be mistaken for a work on entomology 
 in many volumes. The insects are secured in such a manner 
 that both their upper and under surfaces may be readily examined 
 without exposing them to dust or air. Before they are fixed in 
 the boxes, they are exposed to a high temperature in an oven 
 contrived for the purpose, in order to destroy the vitality of 
 those eggs or larvae they may contain, which have always been 
 more or less destructive to such collections. After the specimens 
 are arranged, all the joints of the boxes are thoroughly closed 
 with poisoned paste, which secures them from the invasion of 
 ravaging marauders. 
 
 By this plan, the collection is kept in a perfect state of pre- 
 servation, and is entirely available for study. 
 
 The principal contributors to the entomological cabinet in the 
 past few years, are Mr. Robert Kilvington, Henry Bond Dewey, 
 Esq., Dr. D. B. McCartee, Mr. Wm. Hobson, Mr. Edward 
 Doubleday, Dr. T. B. Wilson, Rev. T. S. Savage, M. D., Mr. 
 Hagedorn, Dr. Gavin Watson, Dr. A. L. Heerman, Dr. Gambel, 
 Mr. Cassin, Dr. John Neill, Mr. Geo. B. Wood, Jr., Mr. Isaac 
 Lea, and others. The donations made are all recorded in the 
 published volumes of the "Proceedings of the Academy." 
 
 Of about 6,000 specimens now in the cabinet, 1,500 lepidoptera 
 and 2,500 coleoptera are classed and labelled ; but the classifica- 
 tion is not yet sufficiently advanced to estimate, with any degree 
 of accuracy, the number of species it contains, belonging to the 
 several families.
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 27 
 
 7. MYRIAPODS AND ARACHNIDANS. 
 
 The collection of centipedes, millipedes, and spiders, is placed 
 in the east basement-room. 
 
 It contains 27 species of myriapods, and 34 species of arach- 
 nidans, in alcohol, besides 9 dry specimens. 
 
 This department is indebted for contributions to Dr. Goheen, 
 Mr. Cassin, Dr. Leidy, and Dr. Goddard. 
 
 8. CRUSTACEANS. 
 
 The crabs are placed in the east basement-room. 
 
 According to the catalogue of Professor Lewis R. Gibbes, of 
 Charleston, S. C., published in vol. 5, p. 22 (March, 1850), of the 
 "Proceedings of the Academy," the collection contained 175 
 species of 68 genera. But during the past year additions have 
 been made by Mr. McAndrew and Messrs. E. and C. Wilson ; 
 and in February, Dr. T. B. Wilson presented 614 specimens of 
 230 species, which were part of the collection of M. Guerin 
 Meneville, of Paris ; and in December, 1851, another portion of 
 the collection, consisting of 868 specimens, belonging to 183 
 species of 53 genera. 
 
 At this time, the Museum contains 2,054 specimens of 980 
 species of crustaceans, of which 46 are in duplicate. They have 
 been classed, and a catalogue of them has been completed by 
 Dr. R. Bridges. In addition to those referred to, there is a very 
 large number of specimens in store for exchange. 
 
 Of cirrhopeds (barnacles, of various kinds) there are 103 dry 
 specimens, and 10 jars with specimens in alcohol, including 86 
 species. The principal donors to this department are Dr. C. 
 Nicholson, Dr. R. E. Griffith, Dr. Ruschenberger, Dr. T. B. 
 Wilson, Dr. Leidy, and Mr. Nuttall. 
 
 9. ANNELIDANS. 
 
 The collection of worms, which contains 77 species of hel- 
 minths in alcohol, and 3 dry preparations, is placed in the east 
 basement-room. Many of these were formerly in the cabinet of 
 Prof. C. S. Rafinesque. The principal donors are Dr. Goheen, 
 Dr. Goddard, Dr. Leidy, and Mr. Cassin.
 
 28 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 In February, 1843, Mr. William G. Burke presented, through 
 Mr. Cassin, a collection of parasitic worms, contained in 76 
 phials. 
 
 10. ZOOPHYTES. 
 
 The collection of echinoderms (star fishes and sea eggs) con- 
 sists of 447 dry specimens, and 6 in alcohol. Many of them 
 were presented by Mr. Edward Wilson, during the year 1851. 
 The number of species has not been ascertained. Mr. S. TV. 
 Drinker, Mr. W. Thompson, Messrs. Warnick and Argent, and 
 Dr. Griffith, are among the donors. 
 
 Under this head are placed 9 species of medusse in alcohol ; 
 206 specimens of corallines ; and 83 specimens of sponges ; all of 
 which are placed in the east basement-room. 
 
 The principal donors to this department are Mr. G. Ord, Mr. 
 Maclure, Mr. Say, Mr. T. R. Peale, Dr. Harlan, Mr. Hazard, 
 Mr. Lewis Vanuxem, Dr. Nicholson, and Dr. Anderson. 
 
 11. BOTANY. 
 
 The collection of plants is placed in cases on the north flying 
 gallery, and in a small room, accessible from it, situated at the 
 north-east corner of the principal hall. In the opinion of Dr. 
 Darlington, this herbarium is " one of the richest and most valua- 
 ble in the United States."* 
 
 This collection, which now contains 46,000 species of plants, 
 had its beginning in a small herbarium formed in the environs of 
 Paris, and presented in April, 1812, by Mr. N. S. Parmantier, 
 one of the founders of the Institution. 
 
 This cabinet is indebted principally to Rev. Mr. Schweinitz, 
 and Mr. Nuttall, as well as to Mr. "VYm. Maclure, Mr. Z. Collins, 
 Dr. R. E. Griffith, Dr. Pickering, Mr. James Read, Mr. Durand, 
 Mr. Jos. P. Smith, Mr. S. TV. Conrad, Dr. Carson, Dr. Bridges, 
 Dr. Goddard, Dr. Zantzinger, Professor C. W. Short, Dr. Peter, 
 Mrs. L. TV. Say, Mr. Terry, Mr. J. L. Darlington, of Michigan; 
 Mr. J. M. Greene, Professor C. Dewey, Mr. H. B. Croom, Mr. 
 TYm. Cooper, Mr. Hembel, Mr. Sullivan, and Mr. Gray. 
 
 * Memoir of Wm. Bartram and Humphrey Marshall.
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 29 
 
 Schweinitz Collection. The Rev. Lewis David Von Schweinitz, 
 who died in the year 1834, bequeathed to the Academy his great 
 collection, made during a period of forty years. This herbarium 
 contained, besides the cryptogamous plants, 23,000 species. 
 
 Most of the American species were collected by himself; but 
 many were supplied by Dr. Torrey, Mr. Leconte, Rev. Mr. 
 Dencke', Mr. J. Elliot, Mr. H. Steinhaur, and other correspond- 
 ents. The European species were supplied by Mr. Van Welden, 
 Dr. Hooker, Mr. Bentham, Dr. Schwaegrichen, Dr. Steudel, Dr. 
 Zeyher, and Mr. Brongniart. The Siberian plants were furnished 
 by Mr. Ledebour, and those of India by Dr. Wallich, and Mr. 
 H. Steinhaur. The Chinese collection was made by Mr. James 
 Read. The plants of the polar region were collected by Captain 
 Parry, and presented by Dr. Hooker ; an interesting collection 
 from Labrador, was added by Mr. Kohlmeister, a Moravian mis- 
 sionary, of that country. The South American species were 
 obtained chiefly through M. Von Martius, Dr. Huffel, and Dr. 
 Hering. Dr. Baldwin contributed 3,000 species of plants col- 
 lected by himself in Buenos Ayres, Florida, and other parts of 
 North America. 
 
 Nuttall Collection. Mr. Nuttall, an ardent and distinguished 
 botanist, who for many years pursued his researches in various 
 parts of the United States, presented 3,000 species of North 
 American plants ; at a later period his entire exotic herbarium, 
 embracing among others, 1,500 Cape plants, collected by Marson, 
 a large number of New Holland plants, and many interesting 
 species from New Zealand, and the islands of the Pacific, collected 
 by Foster, Labillardier, and others. Subsequently, he presented 
 a complete suite of specimens collected by him in his arduous 
 journey across the Rocky Mountains, to the mouth of the Colum- 
 bia River, different parts of California, and the Sandwich Islands. 
 
 Besides these donations from Messrs Schweinitz and Nuttall, 
 1,200 species collected in St. Domingo, by M. Poiteau, of Paris, 
 were presented by Mr. Isaac R. Jackson. 
 
 Mr. Wm. Hembel presented the entire herbarium of Mr. Solo- 
 mon W. Conrad, collected chiefly in Pennsylvania and New Jer- 
 sey ; and subsequently, that portion of the herbarium of the late 
 Prof. C. S. Rafinesque, containing the specimens from which the 
 descriptions in his Medical Flora have been made ; together with 
 other valuable European and Oriental plants.
 
 30 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 Dr. James Trudeau presented the entire herbarium of Mr. 
 Tainturier, collected in the vicinity of New Orleans. 
 
 A suite of plants of Texas, collected by Mr. Drummond, was 
 presented by Drs. Torrey and Darlington. 
 
 A suite of plants of Arkansas, collected and presented by Dr. 
 Z. Pitcher, U. S. Army. 
 
 A suite of Indian Grasses, collected by Messrs. Wright and Ar- 
 nott, presented by Dr. Torrey. 
 
 Mr. James Bead presented 400 species, collected by himself 
 in the Islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas, Porto Rico, and Guada- 
 loupe, in the winter of 1837. 
 
 Dr. Pickering presented the herbarium of Dr. H. Little, of 
 Boston, collected by himself in the vicinity of that city, and in 
 New Hampshire. 
 
 Mr* E. Durand selected from his extensive herbarium 925 
 species which were not in the Academy's collection, and presented 
 them. 
 
 Dr. John Styles, formerly of Valparaiso, but now of Cuba, 
 presented 400 species of plants collected by himself in Chile. 
 
 Don Ramon de la Sagra, and M. G. Lob^ presented a series of 
 plants of Cuba. 
 
 Menke Collection. Through Dr. E. F. Rivinus, the extensive 
 herbarium of Dr. F. Menke*, of Pyrmont, Germany, was presented 
 by him to the Academy in the year 1839. It is contained in 37 
 folio volumes, and comprises more than 7,000 species of 1,298 
 genera, which were collected between the years 1810 and 1815, 
 in German localities. Among the distinguished botanists who 
 contributed to the formation of this herbarium, are named Thun- 
 berg, Sprengel, Bernhardi, Professor Treviranus, Professor Mer- 
 tens, Roemer, Goenhat, Lehman, Salzman, Rohde, Wendland, 
 Schroeder, Ehrenberg, Schmidt, &c. As nearly all the species 
 in this herbarium are duplicates of those possessed by the Acade- 
 my, and as very many of them are from cultivated specimens, it 
 is kept distinct. 
 
 In 1842, Mr. P. A Browne presented 300 species of West In- 
 dian plants ; the Rev. J. P. Durbin, 200 Alpine plants, from the 
 Valley of Chamouni ; Mr. R. C. Taylor between 80 and 90 species 
 of West Indian and American plants ; and Mr. J. Frampton Wat- 
 son 64 species from the Andes. 
 
 In 1843, Mr. J. N. Nicollet presented 335 species from the
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 31 
 
 North-Western Territory; and Mrs. Wm. S. Biddle, a collection 
 from Barbadoes. 
 
 In 1844, Mr. Jacob Snyder, Jr. presented 300 specimens of 
 Alpine plants ; and a donation of 47 species, collected in Missouri, 
 was received from Dr. Engelman. 
 
 In 1845, Mrs. Rachel Blanding presented a collection of plants; 
 and in 1846, Dr. Engelman presented 100 species collected in 
 Texas. 
 
 In the years 1847, 1848, and 1849, several donations were re- 
 ceived, and Mr. R. C. Taylor presented a collection of ferns from 
 New Granada. 
 
 In 1850, Mr. Henry Etting, U. S. Navy, presented a collection 
 of plants from the Grand Canary, and the adjoining islands ; Mr. 
 R. W. Ravenel, of S. C., 131 species, chiefly cryptogamous ; and 
 the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land, 150 plants indigenous 
 to New South Wales. 
 
 In 1851, donations were received from Mr. John Hooper, of 
 New York, and from Dr. Hopkinson, U. S. Navy. 
 
 With the exception of the Mencke" collection, all the donations 
 have been incorporated into the herbarium of the Academy, which 
 is arranged according to the natural system of Jussieu. This work 
 has been accomplished at different periods by the labors of -Mr. 
 Nuttall, Dr. C. Pickering, Dr. Carson, Dr. Goddard, Dr. Bridges, 
 and Dr. Zantzinger. 
 
 Besides the plants, this department comprises about 1,000 spe- 
 cimens of fruits, and seed-vessels ; and a collection of samples of 
 different kinds of woods. 
 
 ETHNOLOGY. 
 
 In the department of ethnography the property of the Acade- 
 my is not very extensive ; but if the collections which are on 
 deposit be included in the account, it is large and valuable. 
 
 In the cases on the south flying-gallery there are 968 human 
 crania, including 26 casts of crania, of which 50 belong to the 
 Academy. The rest, 918, constitute the collection deposited by 
 the late Dr. Morton. Of the whole number, 690 were presented 
 to him by 138 donors, a fact which shows the number of friends 
 Dr. Morton interested actively in his favorite branch of natural 
 science. This collection is one among the striking monuments of
 
 32 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 his industry, and of the kindness of his numerous friends in every 
 quarter of the globe. It was commenced in 1830, when Dr. Mor- 
 ton sought in vain to procure, in Philadelphia, a Malay or Mon- 
 golian skull. 
 
 The collection now contains crania illustrative of 22 varieties 
 of the Caucasian race; two varieties of the Mongolian race; 13 
 of the Malay race ; 69 of the aboriginal American race ; 21 of 
 the negro race ; 8 of the mixed races ; besides skulls of lunatics, 
 and idiots of several races. For a more detailed account of this 
 collection, I beg leave to refer to Dr. Morton's catalogue, printed 
 November, 1849.* Since the publication of this catalogue, 51 
 human crania have been added to Dr. Morton's cabinet ; of these 
 24 were presented by Prof. Retzius ; 3 by Dr. Joseph Hopkinson, 
 U. S. Navy ; 2 by Mr. Amory Edwards ; 1 by Mr. Gliddon ; 1 
 by Dr. Kennedy ; 1 by Lieut. Steele, U. S. Navy ; and 1 by Mr. 
 W. A. Gliddon. 
 
 * Catalogue of skulls of man and the inferior animals in the collection 
 of Samuel George Morton, M. D., &c. &c., Philadelphia, 1849. 
 
 The principal donors named in the catalogue are Wm. A. Foster, Esq., 
 who contributed 135 ; Dr. J. K. Cisneros presented 53 ; Dr. Ruschenberger, 
 39 ; Win. A. Gliddon, Esq., 19 ; Professor Retzius, 17 ; M. Clot Bey, 15 ; Dr. 
 C. Hnffnagle, 13;' J. N. Nicollet, Esq., and Dr. Dornick, 12 each ; Dr. Jones, 
 Dr. Burrough, and Dr. S. M. E. Goheen, 11 each; J. J. Audubon, Esq., 
 10; Dr. J. K. Townsend, Dr. B. B. Brown, Dr. E. A. Abadie, U. S. Army, 
 and Dr. Mead, each 9 ; G. R. Gliddon, Esq., Dr. Usher Parsons, and Dr. S. 
 P. Hildreth, each 8 ; Dr. Joseph Smith, Don J. Gomez de la Cortina, and Dr. 
 H. S. Reynolds, U. S. Navy, each 7 ; J. A. Lapham, Esq., A. C. Harris, Esq., 
 Dr. S. J. Oakford, and Dr. Joseph Walker, U. S. Army, each 6 ; Dr. Joseph 
 Carson, Dr. James Mease, H. Piddington, Esq., Dr. Charles Nicholson, Dr. 
 M'Dowel, Dr. J.N. Casanova, Dr. Jos. Wilson, U.S. Navy, Dr. Edwin Fiessell, 
 Dr. Geo. Engleman, and Mr. John Watson, each 5 ; Dr. Z. Pitcher, U. S. 
 Army, Dr. C. Pickering, Dr. Geo. C. Leib, and Dr. R. S. Holmes, U. S. Army, 
 4 each ; Dr. P. B. Goddard, Dr. J. W. Russell, Dr. Hardy, Dr. E. H. Davis, 
 with Mr. Squier, Mr. I. G. Strain, U. S. Navy, Lieut. Meigs, U. S. Army ; 
 Dr. P. Gregg, Ex-President Vargas, and Mr. 0. S. Fowler, each 3 ; Dr. J 
 K. Mitchell, Wm. Cobb Hurry, Esq., Dr. Le Beau, Dr. Waters Smith, U. S. 
 Navy ; Dr. F. Turnpenny, Dr. Paul Swift, Dr. John Houstoun, M. Fresnel, 
 Dr. A. Wi.sli/.euus, J>r. Wm. M. Wood, U. S. Navy, Capt. Fremont, Dr. Lip- 
 pincott, Dr. J. Macartney, Dr. Thus. Page, Dr. J. Andrews, l>r. Martin, 
 U. S. Army, and CoL^J^J. Abert, U. S. Army, each 2. There are also named 
 67 gentlemen who each contributed one cranium to this truly valuable col- 
 lection, which has been formed at the price of twenty years' persistent 
 labor, and an expenditure of considerable money ; for even donations were 
 seldom free of charges for freight, &c. &c.
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 33 
 
 In a closet, opening on the passage to the stairs, at the south- 
 east extremity of the principal hall, are four human mummies, 
 1 Egyptian and 3 Peruvian ; 1 mummied calf, 2 hawks, 6 ibis, 
 and 32 serpents, all Egyptian. 
 
 The Egyptian mummy, which is inclosed in its original sar- 
 cophagus, is from the catacombs of Thebes. It was deposited 
 by John L. Hodge, Esq., in June, 1846. The other mummied 
 objects, from Egypt, were deposited by George R. Gliddon, Esq., 
 in June, 1848. 
 
 The Peruvian mummies were deposited by Dr. Morton. They 
 were procured from an ancient cemetery near Arica, and pre- 
 sented by Mr. Wm. A. Foster, who states that, " In many of the 
 tombs, three or four bodies were found clustered together, always 
 in the sitting posture, and wrapped in three or four thicknesses 
 of cloth, with a mat thrown over all." 
 
 / 
 13. COMPARATIVE ANATOMY. 
 
 The most prominent object of the department of comparative 
 anatomy, in 1837, was a "perfect skeleton of the Indian rhino- 
 ceros (R. indicus), brought from the interior of Hindostan, by 
 Dr. Burrough, and presented to the Academy," by a club of 
 members. At that date, the aggregate number of crania of 
 vertebrate animals, including about 200 human skulls, in Dr. 
 Morton's collection, was not many above 500.* 
 
 Since that date large additions have been made to this depart- 
 ment of the Museum. Besides the 918 human crania above 
 mentioned, the collection deposited by Dr. Morton now contains 
 278 crania of mammals, 271 crania of birds, and 88 crania of 
 reptiles and fishes, or an aggregate of 1,555 skulls of vertebrate 
 animals. 
 
 The Academy's collection has received contributions from Dr. 
 Blanding, Dr. Godon, Dr. Goheen, Prof. Baird, Dr. Watson, 
 Captain S. Drinker, Mrs. Mary A. Hamilton, Dr. Leidy, Mr. 
 S. W. Woodhouse, Dr. Griffith, Dr. Meigs, Dr. Hallowell, Mr. 
 Ashmead, Dr. T. B. Wilson, Dr. P. B. Goddard, and others. 
 
 In the year 1849, Dr. Goddard presented 106 crania of mam- 
 
 * Morton, Notice of the Academy of Natural Sciences. 4th edition, p. 
 17, 1837. 
 3
 
 34 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 mals, 30 of birds, 4 of reptiles, 3 of fishes, 8 skeletons of mam- 
 mals, 6 of birds, 2 of reptiles, besides 21 pieces of comparative 
 anatomy. And Dr. T. B. Wilson added 22 skeletons of birds, 
 and 5 pieces of comparative anatomy. 
 
 uring the year 1850, Dr. T. B. Wilson presented artiqulated 
 skeletons of 165 species of birds, 52 sterna, 10 crania, and 3 
 other pieces of birds. M. De la Berge presented 53 sterna of 
 birds ; and 16 skeletons of birds were received from Mr. Goadby ; 
 5 skeletons, 3 crania, and 3 sterna of birds, were presented by 
 MM. Verreaux and Lambert, and Dr. Blanding ; and a donation 
 of 2 skeletons and 3 crania of mammals was received from Drs. 
 Blanding and Johnson, and Mr. Schaf hirt. 
 
 The Academy possesses 20 skeletons of mammals, 213 of 
 birds, 18 of reptiles, and 12 of fishes, or an aggregate of 263 
 articulated skeletons; 171 crania of mammals, 477 crania of 
 birds, 49 crania of reptiles and fishes, 100 sterna of birds, and 
 23 pieces of comparative anatomy. 
 
 Including those on deposit, the collection consists, indepen- 
 dently of the skeletons and pieces of comparative anatomy, of 
 449 crania of mammals, 748 crania of birds, 98 crania of reptiles, 
 and 39 crania of fishes. 
 
 The collections in comparative anatomy are displayed in cases 
 on the floor of the south side of the main hall. 
 
 Among the recent additions is a fine skeleton of a narwhal, the 
 tusk of which exceeds eight feet in length, presented by Dr. E. 
 K. Kane, U. S. Navy. 
 
 14. MINERALOGY. 
 
 The collection of minerals is arranged in the east basement- 
 room. 
 
 As early as March, 1812, Mr. John Speakman, in anticipation 
 of the wants of the Institution, purchased from Dr. Seybert, for 
 the sum of $750, a collection of European minerals ; but this 
 acquisition bears a later date on the records of the Institution. 
 In July, of the same year, $370 were subscribed by members to 
 purchase Mr. Godon's cabinet ; but at the auction, Prof. B. S. 
 Barton bid a larger sum and obtained it. The late Mr. Joseph 
 Watson (of the firm of Watson and Bell) purchased the same 
 collection at Dr. Barton's sale and presented it to the Academy.
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 35 
 
 Among the first donors of minerals were Dr. Troost, Mr. Isaac 
 Lea, Dr. Hays, and Mr. S. Hazard. Mr. Wm. Maclure pre- 
 sented large and valuable collections ; and Mr. H. Seybert, 
 Joseph P. Smith, and Dr. Thomas M'Euen, contributed largely 
 to this department. The contributors to the mineralogical cabi- 
 net since its commencement have been very numerous. Besides 
 those named, the most conspicuous are Mr. J. P. Wetherill, Dr. 
 Burrough, T. Nuttall, Dr. Blanding, Dr. Morton, Dr. Griffith, 
 Mr. R. C. Taylor, Baron Struve, Dr. Carson, Mr. W. S. Vaux, 
 Mr. S. Ashmead, Mr. T. F. Moss, Mr. Thomas Fisher, Dr. Cas- 
 sarnova, Mr. Isaac L. Chipman, Dr. Bent, Dr. Goddard, and 
 Dr. George B. M'Clellan. 
 
 Dr. T. B. Wilson, in the course of the past five or six years, 
 presented 1,760 specimens, mostly European, many of which are 
 rare. Amongst them are fine suites of carbonate of iron, tin, 
 blende, galena, &c., and an extensive variety of forms of fluor 
 and calcareous spars from Cumberland and Durham, England ; 
 and many fine specimens from Germany, Hungary, and Transyl- 
 vania. Among the gems is a fine suite of native crystals of 
 diamond from Brazil. 
 
 Dr. Heerman has presented a series of valuable specimens of 
 native gold from California; and we are indebted to the late Dr. 
 George B. M'Clellan for fine specimens of the same mineral from 
 Virginia. 
 
 Mr. W. S. Vaux presented an extraordinarily large crystal of 
 beryl, from Ackworth, New Hampshire ; it measures 3 feet 3 
 inches in circumference, and weighs 185 Ibs. 
 
 Mr. Boucier, of Lyons, presented an admirable series of crys- 
 tals of green and blue carbonate of copper, and of red oxide of 
 copper, of every variety of form. 
 
 Though the cabinet is comparatively rich in foreign, it is very 
 deficient in American minerals. From the vast number of dona- 
 tions 4,152 specimens have been selected, labelled, and arranged 
 by Messrs. Vaux, Ashmead, and Gambel, who have been for 
 several years devoted to this department of the Museum. 
 
 It is believed that, notwithstanding the care of the various 
 gentlemen who have had charge of this department, from time to 
 time, it has suffered losses in the various transportations and 
 changes of location to which the Museum has been subject.
 
 36 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 15. GEOLOGY. 
 
 The small collection of rocks is in the east basement-room. 
 Mr. Win. Maclure was among the earliest to contribute to the for- 
 mation of a geological cabinet. He presented more than 1100 
 specimens of the primitive transition and basaltic rocks of 
 Europe, collected by himself while travelling between the Medi- 
 terranean and Baltic seas. He also presented specimens of the 
 rocks of several of the West India Islands. 
 
 Dr. R. E. Griffith presented a series of lavas, collected from 
 various currents ejected from Mount Vesuvius at different 
 periods. 
 
 Dr. S. G. Morton presented a series of the greenstone rocks 
 of Scotland, and a section of Salisbury Craigs, near Edinburgh, 
 collected by himself. Rocks from the northern shore of Lake 
 Superior were presented by Dr. Z. Pitcher, U. S. Army. Spe- 
 cimens collected from the route of the Erie and Hudson canal, 
 were received from the Hon. Stephen Van Rensalaer of New 
 York. To Mr. J. Frampton Watson, to Mr. G. R. Gliddon, to Mr. 
 J. Hamilton Couper, and to many others, this department is in- 
 debted for donations. 
 
 The number of specimens in the cabinet is now 545. 
 
 Among these is a slab of flexible sandstone from Brazil, pre- 
 sented by Dr. T. B. Wilson, so arranged that its extraordinary 
 flexibility may be readily shown. 
 
 Mr. Isaac Lea presented a column of basalt from the Giant's 
 Causeway, Ireland, which is worthy of notice by the visiter. 
 
 16. PALEONTOLOGY. 
 
 In October, 1815, Mr. Jacob Gilliams presented a collection 
 of fossil shells, found by himself in St. Mary's County, Maryland, 
 where he had gone nearly two years prior to that date, expecting to 
 join the military forces then in that neighborhood. This is the 
 earliest record of a donation to the department of palaeontology. 
 In November, of the same year, a collection of fossils, from 
 Sunbury, Pennsylvania, was presented by Dr. Janney. In the 
 course of the year 1816, fossils of New Jersey and of Mary- 
 land were received from Mr. S. Wetherill and Dr. Mease; and in
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 87 
 
 1817, fossils from Huntsville, Alabama, were presented by Mr. 
 J. D. Clifford, and a considerable collection from Europe, by Mr. 
 Wm. Maclure ; and in 1818, the latter gentlemen made import- 
 ant donations. During the same year, Dr* R. E. Griffith, and 
 Mr. A. Jessup, presented collections of fossils. 
 
 Subsequently, a series of vegetable impressions from the coal 
 districts of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, and Rhode Island, 
 was presented by Drs. Hays, Griffith, Morton, and Mr. B. Say. 
 
 Mr. Samuel Hazard presented a collection of pentremite, 
 encrinite, and other fossils from the vicinity of Huntsville, Ala- 
 bama. 
 
 A series of fossil shells, illustrating all the formations of the 
 Paris basin, was presented by Messrs. Keating, Vanuxem, 
 M'Euen, Lesueur, and Pennock. 
 
 A series of fossils from the oolite of England, was presented 
 by Dr. R. E. Griffith. 
 
 Mr/ and Mrs. T. Say, presented a series of European and 
 American fossils, chiefly from the eocene strata. 
 
 Dr. S. G. Morton presented fossil shells, Crustacea, and zoo- 
 phytes, illustrative of the cretaceous deposits of the United States. 
 
 Mr. T. A. Conrad presented an extensive series of the tertiary 
 fossils of Maryland, Virginia, Alabama, &c., chiefly collected by 
 himself. 
 
 Mr. J. Price Wetherill deposited two distinct collections. 
 
 The Steinhaur collection, which was made in England about 
 forty years ago, by the late Rev. Henry Steinhaur, is particularly 
 rich in fossil plants, from the coal basin of Yorkshire, and in 
 testacea and zoophytes from the lias, oolitic, and cretaceous 
 formations of various parts of Great Britain. 
 
 The Clifford collection was made by the late Mr. Clifford, of 
 Cincinnati, and purchased by Mr. Wetherill. It contains an ex- 
 tensive and beautiful series of fossil remains from the carbonife- 
 rous deposits of the valley of the Mississippi ; together with the 
 skeleton of the Megalonyx laqueatus of Dr. Harlan, and nume- 
 rous bones and teeth of the mastodon, elephant, &c. 
 
 In 1837, the collection of fossils was estimated to contain 
 nearly 4,000 specimens, including those on deposit. In July, 
 1846, Mr. Wetherill presented his entire collections, which had 
 been previously deposited ; and at the same time, conjointly with 
 
 394812
 
 38 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 Dr. T. B. Wilson, lie made a donation of the collection deposited 
 by the late Mr. R. C. Taylor, in August, 1845. 
 
 The Taylor collection was designed to illustrate the principal 
 English formations. The specimens, about 4,000 in number, 
 were selected by Mr. Taylor, with great care, from their re- 
 spective localities, during a period of twenty-five years, com- 
 mencing in 1805. 
 
 In 1841, additions were made by Dr. Engelman, Dr. Morton, 
 Mr. Ashmead, Prof. Johnson, and others. In 1842, the prin- 
 cipal donations were received from Mr. Joseph Brano, and Mr. 
 G. R. Gliddon ; and in 1843, from Dr. John Locke, Mr. J. 
 Hamilton Couper, and others. 
 
 In 1845, fossils were presented by Dr. T. B. Wilson, Mr. Ed- 
 ward Harris, Mr. Julius S. Taylor, Mr. J. Tremper, Peter A. 
 Browne, Esq., Prof. R. W. Gibbes ; a collection made at Cape 
 La Heve, by Mr. Chas. A. Lesueur, and a collection made on 
 the Sivalik Hills, by Capt. T. B. Cautley, of the Bengal army. 
 
 In 1846, besides those above mentioned from Mr. Wetherill and 
 Dr. T. B. Wilson, collections were presented by Mr. Pancoast, 
 and Mr. Lewis Germain. 
 
 In 1847, Mr. T. Conrad presented about 2,000 specimens, from 
 the miocene of France, the eocene, cretaceous, oolitic, mountain 
 limestone, and silurian formations of England and France. Mr. 
 R. C. Taylor presented an extensive collection of very large and 
 beautiful specimens of the coal plants of Pennsylvania, besides 
 other fossils. Dr. F. Roemer presented fossils from the green 
 sand of Germany ; and Mr. W. A. Pease, a collection of the 
 silurian fossils of New York. Numerous specimens of coal 
 plants were received from Prof. W. R. Johnson, and various fos- 
 sils from other- sources. Dr. Wilson deposited five very nearly 
 perfect skeletons of fossil saurians of the lias formation ; they 
 embrace one species of plesiosaurus, three species of ichthyosauri, 
 and the teleosaurus, or Gavial de Boll. 
 
 In 1848, the Honorable Court of Directors of the East India 
 Company presented 124 casts of fossils from the Sivalik Hills, 
 representing 36 species of 25 genera of mammals ; 1 species of 
 bird ; 5 species of 4 genera of reptiles, and 1 species of fish. 
 A fine cast of the cranium of the Sivatherium giganteum was 
 received from Dr. Thomas Horsfield, Curator of the East India
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 39 
 
 Company's museum ; and one half of the lower jaw, and several 
 teeth of the fossil Tapirus Americanus, from the late Dr. Car- 
 penter, of New Orleans. The professors of the Jardin des 
 Plantes presented several casts of Anoplotherium and Palaeo- 
 therium ; and Mr. Joseph Culbertson deposited unique specimens 
 of a fossil mammal, the Poebrotherium. Dr. Wilson deposited a 
 very perfect specimen of Ichthyosaurus intermedius ; and pre- 
 sented Mr. Conrad's collection of American fossils, .which in- 
 cludes Dr. Morton's originals from the cretaceous formation, and 
 consists of about 3,000 specimens of 1,000 species : a general 
 collection of British fossils, which includes selected specimens 
 from the cabinet of the late Miss Bennet, of England, and con- 
 tains 9,402 specimens of 2,935 species : a collection of German 
 fossils, containing 650 specimens of 500 species : and a collec- 
 tion of Italian fossils from the tertiary of Piedmont, containing 
 2,000 specimens of 600 species, the whole forming an aggregate 
 of 17,207 specimens of 5,545 species. Besides the above, 128 
 specimens have been received from several different sources. 
 
 In the year 1849, the American Philosophical Society depo- 
 sited its large and very valuable collection of mammalian fossils 
 in the Academy. Dr. T. B. Wilson presented 1,552 specimens 
 of 658 species of British fossils ; and from other sources, chiefly 
 from Dr. Morton, Mr. Verreaux, of Paris, and Messrs. Budd and 
 McMinn, 197 specimens were received. 
 
 In 1850, Dr. T. B. Wilson presented 88 specimens of bones 
 of different species of Dinornis and Palapteryz, obtained in New 
 Zealand by Walter Mantell, Esq., of London. This coMection 
 contains a complete foot of Dinornis giganteus. Dr. Joel Y. 
 Schelly, of Hereford, Pennsylvania, presented 58 fragments of 
 Enaliosaurian(?) bones, found in Lehigh County, Pa. M. Ed. 
 Verreaux, of Paris, presented 300 specimens of 255 species of 
 fossil shells, from different formations in France. Donations 
 were received also from Mr. Joseph Culbertson, of Carlisle, Mr. 
 Ogden, of New Jersey, Mr. Moss, and Dr. Budd. 
 
 In the year 1851, donations were received from Mr. Joseph 
 Jones, Mr. Ledyard Linklaen, Dr. C. H. Budd, Dr. J. C. Fisher, 
 W. Parker Foulke, Esq., Mr. M. Maslin, Prof. J. F. Frazer, Prof. 
 W. E. Horner, Dr. T. B. Wilson, Dr. C. D. Meigs. 
 
 The collection is placed in cases on the floor of the principal
 
 40 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 hall ; the fossils of America are in the southern series ; and those 
 from other parts of the world in the northern and middle series 
 of cases. The arrangement of this extensive cabinet is not yet 
 complete. 
 
 The following summary will indicate to the reader the extent 
 and value of this department of the museum. 
 
 The number of fossils labelled and displayed in cases, under 
 glass, is 14,793, as follows : 
 
 American. Foreign. 
 
 Silurian, .... 2,936 
 
 Coal, 89 244 
 
 Cretaceous, .... 1,162 1,526 
 
 Eocene, .... 481 1,231 
 
 Miocene, .... 386 1,132 
 
 Pliocene, .... 1,176 1,405 
 
 Wealden, .... 158 
 
 Oolitic, .... 1,307 
 
 Lias, 855 
 
 Muschelkalk, ... 201 
 
 Keupferschiefer, . . . 504 
 
 6,230 8,563=14,793 
 
 In drawers, ready to be arranged, 5,799 
 
 In boxes, not yet unpacked, 2,826 
 
 The aggregate number of specimens, illustrative of palaeon- 
 tology, is 23,518. 
 
 In the enumeration of this department, a tray, or group, 
 though in some cases ten or twenty fossils are under one label, 
 has been counted as one specimen. If every individual fossil 
 were counted, it is estimated, the aggregate would be at least 
 60,000. 
 
 17. CHEMICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL APPARATUS. 
 
 The collection of chemical and philosophical apparatus is not 
 very extensive. 
 
 The Academy is indebted to the late Dr. Parrish, for sundry 
 pieces of chemical apparatus ; to the late Wm. Maclure for three
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 41 
 
 microscopes, an air-pump, a mineralogical apparatus, an elec- 
 trical machine, an inflammable air lamp, and a five feet achro- 
 matic telescope, with an aperture of three and a half inches ; the 
 last was presented in 1841 ; to the late Dr. Troost, for Wollas- 
 ton's reflecting goniometer ; to the late ingenious Isaiah Lukens 
 for a most excellent clock, manufactured by himself, and pre- 
 sented in the year 1818. A club of members, in 1843, presented 
 a copper apparatus, or oven, for disinfecting zoological speci- 
 mens. 
 
 In July, 1847, Mr. Henry Seybert deposited, for the use of 
 members of the Institution, a collection of chemical apparatus, 
 consisting of 1,500 pieces, in glass, earthen-ware and fire-clay, 
 porcelain, agate, platina, and other metals, with a 'variety of 
 scales and weights. 
 
 In 1851, Prof. J. K. Mitchell deposited, for the use of the 
 members, a microscope of the manufacture of Oberhaiiser ; and 
 Mr. John Price Wetherill deposited one of the manufacture of 
 Pritchard. 
 
 18. LIBRARY. 
 
 The library commenced in April, 1812, with a few volumes 
 given by Mr. John Speakman and Dr. Mann. Among the early 
 patrons of the library, Mr. William Maclure, R. E. Griffith, and 
 Zaccheus Collins were prominent. The donations of Mr. Ma- 
 clure alone, up to the time of his death in 1840, amount to 5,232 
 volumes. Lists of the names of the donors to the library are 
 appended to each half of several volumes of the Journal of the 
 Academy ; they are too numerous to be cited here. In the year 
 1841, the library contained 7,000 volumes, since which date the 
 number has been nearly doubled. 
 
 Very few volumes have been purchased or received from public 
 sources ; almost all have been gifts from individuals or societies 
 devoted to the cultivation and diffusion of knowledge. Some are 
 received in exchange for the publications of the Academy. The 
 donors are very numerous. Those who have presented the 
 largest number of volumes since the year 1840, are Dr. T. B. 
 Wilson, Mr. Edward Wilson, and Dr. R. E. Griffith. 
 
 A manuscript catalogue of the library was prepared by Dr.
 
 42 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 Hays, assisted by Mr. Keating ; and, subsequently, the library 
 committee, consisting of Dr. Samuel George Morton, Dr. Charles 
 Pickering, Dr. Thomas McEwen, Prof. Walter R. Johnson, Dr. 
 Robert Bridges, and Dr. Joseph Carson, prepared another cata- 
 logue on a different plan, which was printed October, 1836. At 
 that date the library contained 6,890 volumes, exclusive of dupli- 
 cates, and 435 separate maps and charts. 
 
 The number of volumes for circulation is limited. It has been 
 generally considered desirable that the library should be for 
 reference chiefly, and the library apartment a reading-room, 
 open freely to the members and strangers properly introduced. 
 The use of large and costly works and periodicals is restricted to 
 the hall. 
 
 The following statement exhibits the number of volumes in 
 each department, on the 31st of December, 1851. The library 
 is placed in the west and south-west basement-rooms. 
 
 Natural Sciences 3,626 
 
 Anatomy and Physiology ..... 327 
 
 Voyages and Travels 809 
 
 History and Geography ..... 525 
 
 Transactions of Societies, Journals, Memoirs, &c. 2,323 
 
 Dictionaries of Arts and Sciences . . . 576 
 
 Maps (bound in volumes) ..... 22 
 
 Chemistry and Physical Science . . . 339 
 
 Historical Documents, of all descriptions . . 1,856 
 
 Antiquities and the Fine Arts .... 428 
 
 Miscellaneous ....... 1,451 
 
 Not recorded in Catalogue .... 350 
 
 Pamphlets, and parts of works in cou?se of publi- 
 cation, when bound ..... 750 
 
 13,382 
 
 It is remarkable that so large a collection of books should 
 have been made without the assistance of a library fund, the 
 establishment of which has long been deemed an important 
 object. But the treasury of the Society has never been more 
 than sufficient to meet the demands against it for purposes and 
 objects necessary to the care and preservation of the Museum.
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 43 
 
 SUMMARY. 
 
 Mammals .... ' .' ". . ' 636 
 Birds .... VV / /. 27,000 
 Birds' nests * '''.^ '.';; .'- V '?!"/ ''"'I?; 214 
 Birds' eggs . '> '\^'J-'.' "'. ' '' '.' ' ''. . 5,056 
 Fishes . . . ;^' r . ';-" ..''. 1,500 
 Reptiles . .. ~ \' . 'i V"~ - 2,000 
 
 shells ; :j ; v; -.; /.;';;'.. ""''. ; . 25,000 
 
 Insects ;.',;.-_' -:'.. ; ." V : ;\ ; "i/". ." 6,000 
 
 Crustaceans , / ''.' "... ..' ' . 2,054 
 Cirrhopods . ''V. 1 '..-. \ V '" ,' 113 
 
 Annellidans . . ,- v ''!".-.. . . 80 
 
 Echinoderms - I' 4 / v .. ' : ' . 453 
 
 Medusas, Sponges, and Corallines . . 298 
 
 Plants . . . "..'';' . . . 46,000 
 
 Ethnological Specimens .' . '-.. . 1,015 
 
 Comparative anatomy .... 1,720 
 
 Minerals , ' 4,152 
 
 Rocks . ; '. . . .. . . 544 
 
 Possils . : ',' .' .' ' ;. . ., . . 23,518 
 
 Apparatus . . . .... 1,513 
 
 Books (volumes) . /.''.. 13,382 
 
 The Museum contains an aggregate of 148,876 specimens of 
 natural history. 
 
 These statements will convey an idea of the present condition 
 of the Academy, and of the facilities it affords for the study of 
 the various branches of natural science. 
 
 But there are questions yet to answer. Whence sprang this 
 edifice, this centre, from which radiate almost countless paths to 
 truth, leading to every region, to every domain in Nature, acces- 
 sible to the inquisitive impulses of the human mind ? To whom 
 are we indebted for these charts, the buoys and beacon-lights to 
 guide us over the ever-expanding ocean of truth ? To whom do 
 we owe acknowledgments for these means of fathoming the 
 depths of natural science, and of avoiding the rocks of error, as 
 we sail smoothly and in safety, though slowly it may be, on the 
 vast expanse of human investigation, beset by deceptive appear- 
 ances, doubts, and darkness ?
 
 44 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 We may justly expect the congratulations of the public on our 
 academic possessions, the Museum and Library ; and it will detract 
 nothing from their value to permit the credit of these acquisitions 
 to inure to our academic fathers. The Chinese teach that the 
 praiseworthy achievements of children make up the glory, not 
 of themselves, but of their ancestors. 
 
 The facts acquired in science, the improvements achieved in 
 the arts by Americans, as well as their military and naval suc- 
 cess since the days of the Revolution, combine to add lustre to 
 the name of the Father of his country; and to rear an ever- 
 growing monument to his memory, more striking and more dura- 
 ble than the loftiest structure of marble within the power of man 
 to raise. The dignity and power of a nation are commensurate 
 with the intelligence of the people ; and its reputation and re- 
 spectability abroad, will be in proportion to its extent. The in- 
 crease and diffusion of knowledge, especially in a republic, are 
 worthy of the loftiest ambition of the patriot; he who contributes 
 to these ends, assists to spread and perpetuate human liberty 
 throughout the world. 
 
 The Academy of Natural Sciences, owes its origin to the 
 joint labors of a few individuals, somewhat influenced by circum- 
 stances. In the year 1810, the population of Philadelphia was 
 96,664 (the county included), and though it was the principal 
 city of the Union, it contained few places of public amuse- 
 ment. The Chestnut Street Theatre was closed throughout the 
 summer, and in the winter season was open only three evenings 
 in the week ; but it was not always fully encouraged. It had a 
 rival in Ricket's Circus, which was nearly opposite. The Phila- 
 delphia Museum, founded by C. "W. Peale, in 1784, and removed 
 into the State House in 1802, was a place of daily resort. A 
 few public gardens, some taverns, and two or three oyster-cellars, 
 constituted the common attractions of the idle young men of the 
 time. 
 
 At that period, the population of the United States included 
 very few persons devoted to the investigation of natural objects; 
 it may be said, there was not an American naturalist of distinc- 
 tion in the Union. But in Pennsylvania, there were several 
 gentlemen who had acquired reputation in the cultivation of 
 botany, among whom the Bartrams, the Muhlenbergs, and Bartons 
 were conspicuous. Alexander Wilson had commenced the publi-
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 45 
 
 cation of the American Ornithology ; the first volume appeared 
 in September, 1808, the second in January, 1810, the fifth and 
 sixth in 1812, and the seventh in April, 1813 : the author died 
 in August, 1813, leaving his great work incomplete. 
 
 The Natural Sciences attracted very little attention from the 
 public ; and the very few persons who cultivated them, contended 
 with many difficulties. There were neither cabinets to awaken, 
 nor libraries to gratify a desire to become acquainted with the 
 wonders of the creation. There were in the city two or three 
 collections of minerals in the possession of gentlemen who had 
 brought them from Europe ; but they were not accessible to the 
 public. There was no book on mineralogy for sale in this 
 country ; and a gentleman who was then a young mineralogist, 
 assures me that he gathered minerals, and submitted them to Dr. 
 Seybert, who kindly named them for him. That vulgar and 
 ephemeral curiosity which manifests itself in a desire to see what 
 is not commonly beheld in nature, or in art, expended itself at 
 the Philadelphia Museum, in which were collections of implements 
 used by the aborigenes of the country in war and peace, speci- 
 mens of natural history, pictures, and whatever in the arts was 
 calculated to excite the wonder of the ignorant or admiration of 
 the instructed. The acquisition of a monster was more valuable, 
 in the estimation of the director of the museum, than a normal 
 specimen ; a chicken with three legs, or a calf with two heads, 
 attracted more attention than the rarest bird or beast of true 
 proportions. A cajoling fiction, the "perpetual motion," excited 
 more astonishment than the proof of antediluvian life exhibited 
 in the skeleton of a mastodon. This was among the most valua- 
 ble specimens in the museum, which, according to Dr. Mease, 
 contained in 1811, about 200 mammals, and about 1,000 birds. 
 But, meagre as it was, this collection was not freely accessible to 
 students of natural history ; for the purposes of study it was un- 
 available. 
 
 There were some young persons, however, disposed to study 
 the laws of the creation. Though possessed of little information, 
 they were prone to fall into discussions upon natural phenomena, 
 and it is probable, they not unfrequently dealt in abstractions 
 and wild speculations. All of them were occupied during the 
 day, in those vocations upon which they respectively depended 
 for support; in the evening, they met without appointment at such
 
 46 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 places of common resort as the city afforded for those of their 
 social position. Comparison of ideas, soon forced upon them a 
 conviction that they were ignorant of even the rudiments of those 
 branches of knowledge which had attracted their attention. All 
 professed to be in search of truth, and to desire to free themselves 
 from error and prejudice of every kind. They probably found 
 that conversations upon unusual topics, within ear-shot of 
 strangers met with at public places, provoked unwelcome atten- 
 tion ; and that discussions pursued -irregularly and without 
 method, were not likely to be profitable. 
 
 At the period referred to, Mr. John Speakman was established 
 as an apothecary, at the north-west corner of Market and Second 
 Streets. He was born in Bucks County, Pa., and belonged to 
 the religious society of Friends. His father was strongly op- 
 posed to the institution of slavery, and refused to use any article 
 known to be the product of slave labor. Young Speakman was 
 zealously religious. He possessed a speculative mind, and an 
 eminently benevolent disposition. The unworthy conduct of a 
 seemingly pious " Friend," and other circumstances not neces- 
 sary to particularize, led him to habits of intense thought and 
 reflection. But he had acquired very little knowledge of the 
 laws of nature from books, and hence he encountered many dif- 
 ficulties in forming definite conclusions. He however assumed 
 as an axiom, that the evils which men commit are due to their 
 ignorance of what is best adapted to secure their own good and 
 happiness ; and that want of knowledge of the laws of nature ia 
 the source of all social evils. He therefore earnestly sought to 
 improve the condition of mankind by seeking knowledge himself, 
 and imparting what he acquired to others. Yet he did not de- 
 vote himself methodically to study, but sought information in 
 conversation with those friends and acquaintances who possessed 
 congenial tastes. He found it pleasant to glean knowledge from 
 the remarks of the many intelligent persons who frequented his 
 shop, which became a centre of the literary and scientific gossip 
 of the day. But Mr. Speakman's defective training in a coun- 
 try school, did not enable him to give profitable direction to that 
 spirit of inquiry, with which the circumstances of his private 
 life had imbued his mind a mind at once ingenuous, earnest, and 
 scrupulously honest. 
 
 Among his social companions was Mr. Jacob Gilliams, a native
 
 ACADEMY OF NATUKAL SCIENCES. 47 
 
 of Philadelphia, and a leading dentist of the day. This gentle- 
 man, though the practice of his profession did not permit him 
 to cultivate extensively any branch of natural science, was ever 
 ready to aid and facilitate the labors of its votaries, for the ad- 
 vantage and pleasure he derived from listening to their conver- 
 sations. He was an intimate associate of Mr. Thomas Say, and, 
 about the time (1808) when Mr. Alexander Wilson was engaged 
 
 V / O o 
 
 upon his Ornithology, they were in the habit of visiting a relative 
 or connection of Mr. Say, at Kingsessing, Mr. Wm. Bartram, 
 with whom Mr. Wilson was on terms of great intimacy. Mr. 
 Gilliams attributes his love of nature mainly to the influence of 
 those visits. When a boy, he gathered stones and minerals ; 
 and caught caterpillars, and shut them up to observe their meta- 
 morphoses. His mother saw, in the gratification of this taste, 
 that his clothes were constantly soiled ; and on this account she 
 frequently censured such pursuits. 
 
 This brief allusion to the circumstances and the general in- 
 fluences under which these two gentlemen, and some others, 
 lived, as well as the temper of their minds and inclinations at 
 the time, will assist to explain the origin of the Academy. 
 
 At one of those accidental meetings, previously alluded to, 
 Mr. Speaknfan suggested that if they and their acquaintances 
 could be induced to meet together at stated times, where they 
 would be secure from interruption, to communicate to each other 
 what they might learn about the phenomena of nature, they 
 would derive more pleasure and profit than from desultory and 
 irregular conversations. Mr. Gilliams enlarged upon the sug- 
 gestion. No doubt was entertained of the propriety of forming 
 an association, the members of which should devote their leisure 
 to study natural history. Before the two friends separated, 
 it was agreed they should meet on the following Saturday even- 
 ing at the residence of Mr. Speakman, and each should invite 
 such of his friends as might be found, on consultation, favorable 
 to the formation of the proposed society. 
 
 On the evening of the 25th of January, 1812, in accordance 
 with the engagement above stated, Dr. Gerard Troost, Dr. Ca- 
 millus Macmahon Mann, Messrs. Jacob Gilliams, John Shinn, Jr., 
 Nicholas S. Parmantier, and John Speakman, assembled at the 
 residence of the gentleman last named. 
 
 Mr. Speakman officiated as Chairman, and Dr. Mann acted
 
 48 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 as Secretary, by the unanimous request of the company. The 
 minutes are described to be those of " a meeting of gentlemen, 
 friends of science, and of rational disposal of leisure moments." 
 
 It may be stated, after a careful examination of the archives 
 and the traditions in the Society, that at this first meeting various 
 plans of a society were submitted and discussed, and that, after 
 having agreed upon the general basis, the details of organization 
 were referred to a committee. 
 
 It was agreed that the exclusive object of the society should 
 be the cultivation of natural science. 
 
 A memorandum of a conversation which occurred at this 
 meeting, informs us that the founders clearly perceived the im- 
 portance of the work in which they were about to engage, and 
 entertained, vaguely it may be, most agreeable anticipations of 
 the future extent and eminence of the institution. They clearly 
 perceived that " the operations of nature," to use the language 
 of the memorandum, " demand unprejudiced, attentive, and se- 
 vere scrutiny; and, [in order] that men may aid each other by a 
 comparison of observations, their discussions must be free." It 
 was said that sectarians " are prone to oppose the promulgation 
 and development of any newly-discovered fact, which to them 
 seems likely in the least to militate against their cause or dog- 
 mas ; and it was from such motives that men of science, in the 
 dark ages, experienced so much persecution ; and they have ex- 
 perienced persecution even to our own time, until truth became 
 too powerful for their opposition." 
 
 For such reasons, it was feared that political or religious dis- 
 putants, should they become members of the society, might exert 
 an unhappy influence on its prosperity. The founders hoped 
 that all the members elected would be lovers or cultivators of 
 science and polite literature ; and while all were to be unques- 
 tioned upon their religious and political creeds, the wand and the 
 sceptre were to be laid down at the doors of an institution de- 
 voted entirely to science. It was determined that neither religion 
 nor politics, in any shape or form, should be even alluded to at 
 any meeting of the society ; and it was perhaps from this deter- 
 mination the erroneous notion sprang, which according to tradi- 
 tion prevailed with some, that the object of the institution was 
 to favor religious infidelity. 
 
 The company resolved itself into a committee of organization ;
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 49 
 
 appointed Mr. Speakman treasurer, and adjourned to meet Feb- 
 ruary 1st, to report progress. The gentlemen named had several 
 meetings during the months of February and March, at the resi- 
 dence of Mr. Speakman : on these occasions the organization of 
 the Society was the only subject of conversation. 
 
 The gentlemen were reluctant to be continuously indebted to 
 the hospitality of Mr. Speakman for a place of meeting; and 
 in the month of March held two or three sessions at a public 
 house in Market, or High Street, near the corner of Franklin 
 Place, known as " Mercer's Cake Shop," which is regarded as 
 the first public establishment at which ice-cream was sold in Phi- 
 ladelphia. Under an impression that all visitors to such houses 
 must in courtesy become customers, it was feared that the in- 
 fant society might degenerate into a club of bon-vivants, and 
 for this reason more private accommodation was sought. 
 
 At the meeting of the 17th of March, a " Constitutional Act" 
 was discussed and agreed upon ; but the present title, Academy 
 of Natural Sciences, was employed, for the first time, in the mi- 
 nutes for March 21st. This name was adopted on a suggestion 
 of Dr. Samuel Jackson, at present the distinguished Professor of 
 the Institutes of Medicine in the University of Pennsylvania. 
 On this occasion, the members pledged themselves to a mutual 
 support, in all things pertaining to establishing an academy of 
 natural sciences; and to share the expenses and responsibility 
 which might accrue. They agreed " to contribute to the for- 
 mation of a museum of natural history, a library of works of 
 science, a chemical experimental laboratory, an experimental 
 philosophical apparatus, and every other desirable appendage 
 or convenience, for the illustration and advancement of natural 
 knowledge, and for the common benefit of all the individuals 
 who may be admitted members of our Institution." 
 
 Mr. Thomas Say was chosen a member, and it was determined 
 that, although he had not attended the primary meetings, his 
 name should be enrolled among those of the founders. About 
 this date, Mr. Speakman became acquainted with Mr. Say, and 
 joined him in business under the firm of Speakman and Say. 
 The presence of Mr. Say at the meetings of the Academy, is re- 
 corded, for the first time, Thursday, April 16, 1812 ; after that 
 date, except when away from the city, he was rarely absent from 
 any session of the Society. 
 4
 
 50 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 It was determined that the founders, seven in number, should 
 constitute a " Committee and Board of Regulations, Management, 
 and Direction." 
 
 It was decided, at a meeting of the same day, that the origin 
 of the Institution should date from the 21st of March, A. D. 
 1812, or the 37th year of the United States, and its anniver- 
 sary should be on that day. Thursday was fixed for the meet- 
 ings of the Board of Management, and Saturday for the general 
 session of the Society. 
 
 The formation of a society, devoted to the cultivation of na- 
 tural knowledge, from which the discussion of national, religious, 
 and political questions should be excluded, had been a subject 
 of public conversation for three months, and "many men of 
 scientific acquirements and apparent zeal" had been consulted, and 
 probably invited to join in the enterprise. But up to this date 
 (March 21) only six had formally met together, and they found 
 in their small number, little to encourage them to proceed. They 
 were aware of the difficulties and dangers to which they were 
 exposed ; but they bravely determined to push forward. " We 
 cannot dissemble to ourselves," say the founders at this time, 
 " that unless we take on ourselves, among our very small num- 
 ber, a responsibility, as to character and expenses, that may and 
 must be considerable ; and, unless we make very extraordinary, 
 zealous, determined, and persevering exertions, the Institution 
 must die in the nutshell, before it can germinate and take root : 
 in fine, that unless we be faithful and honorable to each other, 
 and zealous for the interests of science ; liberally devote much 
 time, much industry, much labor, much attention, and any sum 
 of money that may be requisite, such an establishment as the 
 one Ave desire may never take place, or not for ages, in this com- 
 munity ; a society of generous, good-willing emulation for the 
 acquirement, increase, simplification, and diffusion of natural 
 knowledge." 
 
 About the first of April, a small room was rented on the second 
 floor of a house on the east side of North Second Street, near 
 Race, No. 121. The ground-floor was occupied as a milliner's 
 
 In this small room the nucleus of the present Museum and 
 Library first appeared. Mr. Speakman and Dr. Mann presented 
 books ; Mr. Parmantier presented an herbarium collected in the 
 environs of Paris; Dr. Barnes presented a few shells and insects:
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 51 
 
 Mr. Say a few mounted birds ; and Dr. Troost some artificial 
 crystals, prepared by himself. Each member had given some- 
 thing ; and, though the " display of objects of science" 'was " cal- 
 culated rather to excite merriment than procure respect" at the 
 time (April 16, 1812) when Mr. Say was first introduced to the 
 temple, it was the germ which his assiduous care assisted in de- 
 veloping to the present extent and value. 
 
 Dr. John Barnes, who was the first member elected, took his 
 seat on the 18th of April. On this occasion, the Board of 
 Management, which included all the founders, retired to an ad- 
 joining apartment for the transaction of business, leaving Dr. 
 Barnes alone to constitute the meeting of the Academy. 
 
 In this month the members of the Academy made an excur- 
 sion to Perkiomen, for the purpose of augmenting the collection 
 of minerals. 
 
 On the 7th of May, the officers of the Institution were as 
 follows : 
 
 GERARD TROOST, M. D., President. 
 
 N. S. PARMANTIER, 
 JOHN SHINN, JR., 
 JOHN SPEAKMAN, 
 JACOB GILLIAMS, 
 THOMAS SAY, 
 
 > Vice-Presidents. 
 
 Treasurer. 
 Comptroller. 
 Conservator. 
 
 C. M. MANN, M. D., Secretary. 
 
 On the 15th of August, the collection of minerals previously 
 purchased from Dr. Seybert, by Mr. Speakman, came formally 
 into the possession of the Society. The sum of $750, which Mr. 
 Speakman had advanced from his private means, was converted 
 into shares of stock of $20 each, bearing six per cent, interest, 
 which were to be redeemed as soon as the treasury of the Aca- 
 demy would permit. Stockholders only were permitted to vote 
 on questions relating to the property of the Institution ; and 
 virtually they controlled the affairs of the Academy. The pur- 
 chase of this cabinet of minerals, by Mr. Speakman, and the 
 creation of stock to the amount of its cost, formed a chain which 
 bound the members together, without which they might have 
 ceased to meet before the close of the year 1812. 
 
 Soon after the Seybert cabinet was added to the Museum, Dr. 
 Troost delivered a course of lectures on mineralogy before the 
 Academy.
 
 52 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 The rapid increase of the collections, and the narrow limits of 
 the apartments at No. 121 Second Street, rendered more ex- 
 tensive accommodations necessary. With the approbation of 
 the Society, Messrs. Speakman and Say rented the upper part 
 of a three-storied house on the vPest side of North Second Street 
 (now No. 78 or 80), the ground-floor of which was occupied as a 
 store for the sale of iron in bars, and other forms. To these 
 apartments, called the Hall of the Academy of Natural Sciences, 
 the collections were removed in the month of September. 
 
 The efforts of the infant Academy were devoted to increase 
 the Museum and Library, and to augment the number of members 
 and correspondents. Several persons declined to avail them- 
 selves of the election. 
 
 At the close of the year 1812, the Academy of Natural Sciences 
 consisted of fourteen members and thirty-three correspondents. 
 Of the twelve members elected, five resigned during the year, 
 and two at a later period. The names of the twelve members 
 are as follows ; those of the seven founders are placed first, and 
 those in italics are deceased : 
 
 Jacob Gilliams, Gerard Troost, M. D., 
 Camillas M. Mann, M. D., John Barnes, 
 N. S. Parmantier, Thomas P Jones, 
 Thomas Say, l saian Lukens, 
 John Shinn, Jr., Wm. Maclure, 
 John Speakman, Joseph. Stouse, M. D. 
 During the year 1813, ten were elected members and seven 
 correspondents; of the ten members, the names of six only re- 
 main on the list, namely : 
 
 M S. Allison, Jacob PeirC6j 
 
 Keubenffaines, Benjamin s 
 
 Robert Hare, Alexander Wilson. 
 
 were T de to the Museum and Librar * a * d at ^e 
 
 ' ll a PPo-tment, read selections from 
 The organization of the Society still
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 53 
 
 of the State, farmers and others were invited to forward to 
 Messrs. Speakman and Say minerals, which were to be analyzed, 
 and the results published free of cost. 
 
 Of twenty-five members elected in the course of 1814, the 
 names of ten remain on the list, as follows : 
 
 Joseph Correct de Serra, LL.D., Caleb Richardson, 
 
 Robert Frazer, Joseph Rotch, 
 
 Thomas C. James, M. D., Benjamin Warner, 
 
 Wm. Kneass, John F. Waterhouse, M. D. 
 Richard Randolph, Wm. S. Warder. 
 
 Seventeen correspondents were elected during the year. 
 
 At one of the meetings of this year, Dr. Waterhouse read a 
 descriptive sketch of the mineralogy of the northern and western 
 environs of Boston. During the spring, a course of popular lec- 
 tures on botany was delivered, under the auspices of the Society, 
 by Drs. Waterhouse and Barnes, in the rooms of the Agricultural 
 Society. These were the first popular lectures on botany ever 
 delivered in this city ; they were attended by more than two 
 hundred ladies, besides a considerable number of gentlemen. 
 This course was repeated in the spring of 1815, in the lecture- 
 room at the south-west corner of Arch and Fifth Streets, per- 
 taining to the Free Quakers.- For this last course tickets of 
 admission were presented to the divinity students of the Rev. 
 Dr. Staughton. 
 
 The increase of the Museum required larger accommodations 
 than the apartments of the Academy afforded. On the 9th of 
 August, 1814, Mr. J. Gilliams proposed to build a hall for the 
 use of the Academy, on a vacant lot in the rear of his father's 
 residence, at an annual rent of two hundred dollars ; but this 
 generous offer was not accepted until April, 1815. 
 
 The cabinet and library were moved into the new hall about 
 the end of July. The minutes of the meeting for August 1, 
 1815, are as follows : " Owing to the confusion of moving from 
 the Old Hall, in Second Street, to the New Hall, Gilliams' Court, 
 Arch Street, between Front and Second Streets, the members 
 assembled judged it most expedient not to organize the meeting 
 for this evening, and accordingly withdrew." 
 
 The first period of the history of the Academy extends from 
 the foundation to its establishment in the new hall, erected at 
 the expense of Mr. Gilliams.
 
 54 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 The war between this country and Great Britain existed 
 through the same time, from 1812 to 1815, and influenced un- 
 favorably the progress of the Institution. Besides interrupting 
 to a considerable extent, intercourse with Europe, and thus al- 
 most entirely preventing the importation of scientific books 
 needed by the Society, some of its most zealous and active mem- 
 bers were drawn off from the peaceful pursuits of the Academy 
 to serve in the camp. Messrs. Say, Gilliams, and Sbinn were 
 among the volunteer troops assembled for the defence of the 
 city ;and Mr. Speakman and other members assisted in the labor 
 of constructing, in the neighborhood, military works then sup- 
 posed to be required for the protection of Philadelphia. 
 
 Of the founders of the Academy I am able to state very little. 
 Dr. Camillus M. Mann, the first Secretary of the Society, was 
 a native of Ireland. He served in the Irish rebellion of 1798, 
 against the government, and was employed by the rebels to seek 
 aid in France, from which country he emigrated to the United 
 States. He was accompanied by a distinguished young German 
 artist, Mr. Krimmel, who was drowned near Germantown, in 
 1823. Dr. Mann removed to Baltimore, where he edited a 
 newspaper for some time. The period of his death I have not 
 been able to ascertain. 
 
 Our first Curator, Mr. Thomas Say, whose knowledge, amia- 
 bility, and devotion to the interests of the Institution, were 
 almost indispensable to the continued existence of the Academy 
 in its early days, was born in Philadelphia, July 27, 1787 ; and, 
 when he became one of its founders, was in his twenty-fifth year. 
 Mr. Speakman, his partner in business, was ever ready to do all 
 the work of the shop, to enable Mr. Say to devote his whole 
 time to labor in the Academy. Through endorsement for unfor- 
 tunate friends, the firm and business of Speakman and Say were 
 at an end ; and it is related of these servants of science, that 
 they retained scarcely anything for themselves ; and that Mr. 
 Say gave to those to whom they had become creditors by en- 
 dorsement, the contents of his pocket-book, and even the loose 
 change in his purse. After this, he resided in the Hall of the 
 Academy, where he made his bed beneath a skeleton of a horse, 
 and fed himself on bread and milk ; occasionally he cooked a chop 
 or boiled an egg ; but he was wont to regard eating as an in- 
 convenient interruption to scientific pursuits, and often expressed 
 a wish that he had been made with a hole in his side, in which
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 55 
 
 he might deposit, from time to time, the quantity of food requi- 
 site for his nourishment. He lived in this manner several years, 
 during which time his food did not cost, on an average, more 
 than twelve cents a day. An interesting and instructive me- 
 moir of this gentleman was read before the Academy, hy Dr. 
 Benjamin H. Coates, December 16, 1834, which was published 
 by order of the Institution. 
 
 Of Mr. Jacob Gilliams, our first comptroller, or auditor, and 
 of Mr. John Speakman, our first treasurer, mention has been 
 made. Both are still warm friends of the Institution. As late 
 as the year 1839, Mr. Speakman, at a very considerable sacrifice 
 of his private interests, visited Mr. Maclure, in Mexico, where he 
 spent several months, in behalf of the Academy. 
 
 Mr. John Shinn, Jr., one of the first Vice-Presidents, was a 
 native of New Jersey. He was employed as a manufacturing 
 chemist. 
 
 Mr. N. S. Parmantier, also one of the first Vice-Presidents, 
 was a native of France. He was a distiller and manufacturer of 
 cordials. He removed to Florida. 
 
 Our first President, Dr. Gerard Troost, was born at Bois-Le- 
 Duc, in Holland, March 15, 1776. He was educated in the 
 schools of his native country, and received the degree of Doctor 
 of Medicine from the University of Leyden. In 1801, the Col- 
 lege of Amsterdam conferred upon him the degree of Master in 
 Pharmacy, and he practised this art for a brief period, both at 
 Amsterdam and at the Hague. He served twice in the army, 
 first as a private soldier, and subsequently as an officer of the 
 first class in the medical department. During his military service 
 he was wounded twice; once in the thigh, and once in the head. 
 
 In 1807, the King of Holland, Louis Napoleon, sent him to 
 Paris, to improve himself in his favorite science. There he be- 
 came the pupil and companion of the celebrated Abbe* Rene' Just 
 Haiiy, the author of a new system of crystallography. While in 
 Paris, he translated into the Dutch language, one of the earlier 
 works of Humboldt, "The Aspects of Nature." 
 
 He travelled in France, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland, and 
 collected a valuable cabinet of minerals, which he sold to his pa- 
 tron, the king of Holland. 
 
 In the year 1809, he was appointed by the king of Holland 
 to visit the island of Java, in the capacity of a naturalist. To 
 avoid the British cruisers, he took passage in an American vessel
 
 <j(j A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 from a northern port, beyond the jurisdiction of the French Go- 
 vernment, for New York, from which port he proposed to reach 
 the East Indies, under the protection of the American flag. In 
 those days our neutral flag was little respected, either by France 
 or England. The vessel on board of which he had embarked, 
 was captured by a French privateer, and carried into the port of 
 Dunkirk, where he was deprived of his papers, and detained a 
 prisoner, until his real name and character were ascertained by 
 the French Government, when he was released. He proceeded 
 immediately to Paris, and in March, 1810, he was elected a cor- 
 respondent of the Museum of Natural History of France. About 
 the same time he received a passport, dated Paris, March 5, 1810, 
 which authorized him to embark at Rochelle, on board of an Ame- 
 rican ship bound to Philadelphia. 
 
 The abdication of Louis Napoleon, and other political events 
 in Europe, determined him to become a resident of this city, where 
 he married in the year 1810. 
 
 As already stated, he participated in founding the Academy 
 of Natural Sciences, in 1812, and remained its President until 
 the year 1817, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. 
 Maclure. 
 
 He was engaged in various manufactures, and about the year 
 1815, or 1816, his intimate knowledge of mineralogy and chemis- 
 try, enabled him to commence the manufacture of alum, on the 
 Magothy River, in Maryland. Previous to that date, the entire 
 quantity required in the arts, which is very considerable, was im- 
 ported from abroad. This manufacture was so fully established, 
 that since the year 1818, our own country has been able to supply 
 the home demand. 
 
 He returned from Maryland to Philadelphia, and in 1821 was 
 appointed Professor of Mineralogy in the Philadelphia Museum, 
 and lectured on the subject in that institution. 
 
 About the same period, he was elected the first Professor of 
 Chemistry, in the College of Pharmacy of Philadelphia, but re- 
 signed the ensuing year, after having delivered one course of lec- 
 tures. 
 
 Dr. Troost, in the year 1825, in company with Messrs Maclure, 
 Say, Lesueur, and Robt. Owen, removed to New Harmony, In- 
 diana, where he remained nearly two years. In the year 1827, 
 he settled in Nashville, and in the following year, at the instance
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 57 
 
 of Professor Lindsley, he was elected Professor of Chemistry, 
 Geology, and Mineralogy, in the University of Nashville. 
 
 In the year 1831, he was appointed Geologist of the State of 
 Tennessee, which office he filled until it was abolished in the year 
 1849. 
 
 The death of Dr. Troost occurred in his 75th year, on the 14th 
 of August, 1850. He left a reputation for learning, zeal, and 
 amiability, with which his relatives and friends may well be satis- 
 fied ; and it must be a gratification to know that the first Presi- 
 dent of the Academy of Natural Sciences was worthy of the sincere 
 respect of every member of an institution which he participated 
 in founding. 
 
 A special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the University 
 of Nashville was held, August 15, 1850, and adopted the follow- 
 ing resolutions: 
 
 Resolved, That by the death of the venerable, learned, and 
 accomplished PROFESSOR TROOST, the University has been de- 
 prived of one of its most useful and exemplary instructors the 
 Country of one of its most gifted citizens and Science of one of 
 its most faithful votaries. 
 
 Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the family of the 
 deceased, and tender to the mourning widow and children the 
 assurance of our heartfelt sense of their irreparable bereavement. 
 
 Resolved^ That as a token of respect, we wear the usual badge 
 of mourning for thirty days, and that we attend the funeral of the 
 
 Resolved^ That these proceedings be published, and that a copy 
 thereof be communicated by the Secretary to Mrs. Troost. 
 
 PHILIP LINDSLEY, 
 President of the University, and of the Board of Trustees. 
 
 For a portrait of Dr. Troost, the Academy is indebted to the 
 liberality of Thomas E. Yeatman, Esq., of St. Louis, Missouri. 
 
 The success of the Institution is so largely indebted to the gene- 
 rosity of its second President, Wm. Maclure, that it might be 
 neglect to pass him unnoticed in thi place. 
 
 Mr. Maclure was born in Scotland, in the year 1763, and died 
 in Mexico, in March, 1840. He first visited the United States 
 about the year 1782, and soon afterwards commenced a successful 
 career of commercial enterprise in London. He again visited 
 America in the year 1796, but returned to England in 1803, as
 
 58 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 one of the commissioners to settle the claims of American citizens 
 on the Government of France, for spoliations committed during 
 the revolution in that country. 
 
 On his return, he made a geological survey of the United States, 
 a description of which was published in the Transactions of the 
 American Philosophical Society. This work, which proves Mr. 
 Maclure to have been the pioneer of American Geology, is dated 
 January 20, 1809. 
 
 On the 6th June, 1812, he became a member of the Academy 
 of Natural Sciences, and on the 30th December, 1817, he was 
 elected President, "to which office of confidence and honor he 
 was annually re-elected up to the time of his death, a period of 
 more than twenty-two years."* 
 
 Mr. Maclure was eminently philanthropic and benevolent, and 
 expended very largely of his vast possessions for the general bene- 
 fit of mankind. He believed that knowledge and intelligence are 
 the true sources of human happiness and well-being ; and, acting 
 on this creed, he was ever ready to encourage and foster institutions 
 for the diffusion of knowledge. He entertained the idea of setting 
 up a great school or university, in which every branch of natural 
 science was to have been taught. With this view, he selected New 
 Harmony, Indiana, as the centre of his labors, and, in 1825, in- 
 duced Dr. Troost, and Messrs. Say and Lesueur to join him in 
 the enterprise.! The scheme failed, and in 1827, Mr. Maclure, 
 in pursuit of health and science, visited Mexico, and subsequently 
 returned there, and died on his way home. 
 
 It has been remarked that Mr. Maclure's philanthropy induced 
 him to visit countries while in a state of political revolution, that 
 he might be near to extend assistance to the poor and suffering. 
 
 With this motive, and also to take advantage of any circum- 
 stances which might occur favorable to the advancement of his 
 peculiar object, which was to educate all mankind, he visited, at 
 different periods of his life, France, Spain, and Mexico, when 
 those states were in a condition of political convulsion. He loved 
 the Academy of Natural Sciences because its objects are in har- 
 lony with his views of benevolence and the universal diffusion of 
 
 &c gil ilUam Maclure > Es( l-> b y Samuel George Morton, M. D. f 
 
 T IadUre ma ^ 6 ^ ex P eriment firs * by establishing a school on 
 Lane, near Germantown.
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 59 
 
 knowledge, and also because he was attached to the study of 
 natural science for its own sake. 
 
 Besides his numerous donations to the Library and Museum, he 
 gave, at different times in the course of his life, to the funds of 
 the Society, and towards building the present hall, an aggregate 
 exceeding $25,000; and thus he made the Institution a cenotaph 
 to himself, which will carry his name further into the future than 
 any monumental marble that twice the sum would purchase. To 
 his munificence and labors during the early period of the Society's 
 history, the Academy is greatly indebted for its present existence 
 and prosperous condition. In the year 1841, the Society pub- 
 lished an interesting Memoir of Mr. Maclure, written by our late 
 President, the lamented Samuel George Morton, to which the 
 reader is respectfully referred, for a full account of this remark- 
 able man. 
 
 Mr. Maclure was succeeded in the presidency of the Academy 
 (December, 1840,) by William Hembel, Esq., who became a 
 member of the Society in the year 1825. 
 
 Mr. Hembel was born in Philadelphia, on the 24th of Sep- 
 tember, 1764, and was educated in this city. At the age of 
 sixteen years, an attack of scarlet fever left him with impaired 
 hearing ; and, in the hope that he might discover a remedy for 
 his infirmity, he commenced the study of medicine about the 
 year 1781. But, believing that his defective hearing would in a 
 great measure disqualify him for the practice of the profession, 
 he abandoned the idea of graduating, though often urged to re- 
 ceive a degree from the University of Pennsylvania by his 
 friends, several of whom were professors in that institution. He 
 was ardently attached to the study of medicine, and, to gratify 
 his taste, he served with a portion of the army of the Revolution 
 in Virginia, as a volunteer assistant in the medical department. 
 Though he had not graduated, he practised medicine gratuitously 
 for many years in this city; and not only gave advice and atten- 
 tion to the poor, but furnished them medicines at his own expense. 
 I am assured, by one who knew him well, that Mr. Hembel spent 
 $500 in a year for remedies prescribed by himself for the indigent 
 sick who applied to him for aid. When advanced in age, especi- 
 ally, a very considerable number of female patients resorted to 
 him for advice, confident that his age, and experience, and learn- 
 ing, enabled him to afford them relief with more certainty than 
 a younger practitioner. With his patients, he bore the title of
 
 (JO A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 doctor ; but his integrity placed him above assuming to himself 
 anything to which he was not justly entitled. 
 
 When epidemics prevailed, the poor and suffering always found 
 in him a friend, ever ready to attend to them and relieve their 
 sufferings. 
 
 Up to a late period of life, he purchased almost every newly 
 published volume on medical science, to the study of which he 
 was much attached ; and at his death he left one of the most 
 extensive private medical libraries in this city. But he delighted 
 most in the study and cultivation of chemical science. 
 
 Advanced age and infirmity induced him to decline re-election 
 to the office of President of the Academy, in December, 1849, 
 an office he occupied during nine years. He died on the 12th of 
 June, 1851, in the 87th year of his age. 
 
 Mr. Hembel was a philanthropist, eminently benevolent, 
 very sensitive, and of a modest, retiring disposition, which his 
 infirmity of hearing led him to indulge. His literary and scien- 
 tific acquirements were of a high order, and secured for him the 
 respect of learned men. In him this Society lost a liberal patron, 
 the community an excellent citizen, and the poor a devoted 
 friend. 
 
 When his decease was announced at a meeting of the Society 
 (June 17th, 1851), the following preamble and resolutions, sub- 
 mitted by Mr. Ord, were unanimously adopted : 
 
 " The Academy, deeply sensible of the death of their vene- 
 rable member, are impelled by a sense of duty, to give formal 
 expression of their sorrow at the loss of one who, during the 
 period of twenty-six years, was zealously active in his exertions, 
 to advance those branches of knowledge for the cultivation of 
 which this Institution was created : It is, therefore, 
 
 "Resolved, That the Academy, in mourning the departure of 
 a friend whose long life was signalized by his devotion to scien- 
 tific pursuits, derive consolation from the reflection that their 
 steadfast benefactor was as conspicuous for his efficient benevo- 
 lence, as for his integrity and social virtues. 
 
 "Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing be transmitted to the 
 family of the deceased."* 
 
 Dr. Samuel George Morton was our fourth President. 
 
 Dr. Morton was born in Philadelphia on the 26th of January, 
 
 * Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences. Vol. 5, p. 213.
 
 ACADEMY OF NATUKAL SCIENCES. 61 
 
 1799. He became a member of the Academy in April, 1820, 
 and very soon after went to Europe. He returned in 1826, and 
 from that time, until within a few days of his death, he labored 
 industriously and continuously in the halls of the Academy, to 
 acquire* facts and to publish them to the world. In December, 
 1849, he was unanimously elected President of the Institution ; 
 but in the very height of his usefulness and fame, death sud- 
 denly removed him from among us, on the 15th of May, 1851, 
 in the 52d year of his age. 
 
 The eloquent eulogy pronounced upon him by a fellow-member, 
 Dr. Meigs, is fresh in the memories of all;* it renders this brief 
 allusion to the most distinguished of our deceased Presidents 
 sufficient to complete the notice of all who have served the 
 Academy up to this time, in the highest office within its gift. 
 
 The second period of the history of the Academy now claims 
 attention. 
 
 Soon after the Museum was arranged in the new hall in Gil- 
 Hams Court, Arch Street, Mr. John Shinn delivered a course of 
 popular lectures on chemistry, under the auspices of the Society ; 
 Dr. Waterhouse lectured on ichthyology, and Dr. Troost on 
 mineralogy, before the Academy. During the year 1816, a 
 constitution was adopted, and in December Messrs. Mathias 
 Morris, Zaccheus Collins, and Dr. R. M. Patterson were ap- 
 pointed a committee to apply to the Legislature of Pennsyl- 
 vania for an act to incorporate the Society, which was obtained, 
 and is dated March 24, 1817. This committee received consi- 
 derable aid from Benjamin R. Morgan, Esq., John Reed, Esq., 
 and John M. Scott, Esq., in procuring the act of incorporation ; 
 and the Society acknowledged their services in a series of reso- 
 lutions adopted on the 15th of July. 
 
 At the instance of Mr. Maclure, a committee was appointed on 
 the 4th February, 1817, to inquire into the expediency of pub- 
 lishing a periodical journal of the transactions of the Society. 
 This committee consisted of Mr. Maclure (chairman) and Messrs. 
 Z. Collins, T. Say, R. Haines, and S. Hazard ; they reported in 
 favor of publication, on the 4th of March, but the report was 
 not adopted until the llth. It was feared that a periodical 
 
 * A Memoir of Samuel George Morton, M. D., Late President of the 
 Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. By Charles D. Meigs, M. D. 
 Read November 6, 1851, and published by direction of the Academy. 
 Philadelphia : T. K. & P. G. Collins, Printers, 1851, pp. 48.
 
 (52 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 devoted exclusively to science would find too few patrons ^ to 
 defray the expense of printing, and for this reason it was antici- 
 pated by some that the entire cost of publication would fall upon 
 the treasury of the Academy, which had been empty for a con- 
 siderable time. But Mr. Maclure zealously urged the advantages 
 which would inure to the Institution from a publication designed 
 to make known to the world the labors and discoveries in natural 
 science by members of the Academy. He himself was so confi- 
 dent of the success of the measure, that he inspired hope in those 
 who regarded the undertaking despondingly or in coldness. The 
 first number of a journal was laid before a meeting of the 
 Society on the 20th of May, 1817. It contains a description of 
 six new species of Firola (with a plate), by 0. A. Lesueur ; an 
 account of the Rocky Mountain sheep (Ovis montana)* by George 
 Ord ; and a " Description of seven species of American Fresh 
 Water and Land Shells, not noticed in the systems. By Thomas 
 Say." 
 
 The first committee of publication consisted of Messrs. Ma- 
 clure, T. Say, G. Ord, R. Haines, T. Nuttall, J. Dulles, Dr. 
 Cooper, and Dr. R. M. Patterson. 
 
 The "Introduction" presented with this first number of the 
 Journal, exhibits the spirit which laid the foundation of the Insti- 
 tution, a spirit which has predominated in all its efforts from the 
 beginning, and it will continue to prevail, if past conduct be re- 
 garded as a guarantee in any degree of future action. I invite 
 attention to this Introduction, because it applies at the present 
 time, although nearly thirty-five years have elapsed since it was 
 printed. 
 
 " The members of the Academy of Natural Sciences, of Phila- 
 delphia, desirous of acquiring knowledge themselves, and ex- 
 tending it among their fellow-citizens, have for some years been 
 accustomed to meet at leisure hours, for the purpose of commu- 
 nicating to each other such facts and observations as are calcu- 
 lated to promote the views of the Society. By degrees, a collec- 
 tion of subjects in natural history was made, and has increased, 
 
 * Richardson, in his " Fauna-Boriali Americana" (London, 1829) de- 
 scribed the same animal under the name of Gapra Americana. A fine male 
 specimen of the rare quadruped, the Bighorn of Lewis and Clarke (his 
 tnontana, Desmarest, has been recently presented to the Academy by the 
 Smithsonian Institute, through Professor Baird
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 63 
 
 until a Museum has been formed, which is already very valuable, 
 and which is daily increasing. 
 
 " In further pursuance of the objects of their Institution, the 
 Society have now determined to communicate to the public such 
 facts and observations as, having appeared interesting to them, 
 are likely to be interesting to other friends of natural science. 
 They do not profess to make any periodical communication ; but 
 well knowing how desirable it is that persons engaged in similar 
 pursuits should be made acquainted, as early as possible, with 
 what has been done by their fellow-laborers in the fields of science 
 elsewhere, they mean to publish a few pages whenever it appears 
 to them that materials worthy of publication have been put into 
 their possession. In so doing, they propose to exclude entirely 
 all papers of mere theory to confine their communications, as 
 much as possible, to facts and, by abridging papers too long for 
 publication in their original state, to present the facts thus pub- 
 lished, clothed in as few words as are consistent with perspicuous 
 description. 
 
 " Well aware that much leisure and superfluous wealth are not 
 always found in company with an ardent love of science, they 
 mean their proposed publication to be as cheap, and as unosten- 
 tatious, as the nature of the subjects will admit ; so that it need 
 not encroach unnecessarily on the funds of the Society, or of 
 those who may wish to purchase it. In short, they are desirous 
 of contributing their share to the mass of knowledge, as early, 
 in all cases, and with as little show, and as small expense as pos- 
 sible. The present publication will be a specimen of what they 
 propose in future. 
 
 " They invite the lovers of science generally, and particularly 
 all those who are anxious for its encouragement in the United 
 States, to aid in promoting the objects of this Institution, and to 
 encourage the present publication, so long as the contents of it 
 shall prove deserving of public approbation." 
 
 The first half of the first volume was " printed for the Society 
 by D. Heartt;" and the numbers appeared monthly, or nearly 
 so ; but before the close of the year it was found that the demand 
 for this publication was not adequate to pay the expenses of 
 printing. To meet the difficulty in a degree, Mr. Maclure supplied 
 types and a much worn printing press, and afforded facilities at 
 his own house to continue the work. A compositor and a press- 
 man, both young, were employed, and several members of the
 
 64 . A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 publishing committee aided them in the work, as well as they 
 knew how, and it is traditionary that Mr. Say attempted on 
 eeveral occasions to set types, but with very moderate success. 
 Mr. Ord, anxious to forward the publication, translated or rather 
 prepared the papers of M. Lesueur from materials furnished by 
 him, as that gentleman, who immigrated from France in 1816, 
 possessed very little knowledge of the English language. By 
 such irregular means nearly all of the second half of the first 
 volume was produced. In spite of such zeal and unusual labor, 
 the Journal paused for want of money, before the close of 1818 ; 
 and it was not again resumed until 1821, when Dr. Isaac Hays 
 undertook its management, and through his efforts the publication 
 continued till the close of 1825, without incurring any new debt. 
 The printing was done in the office of Mr. Jesper Harding. 
 
 The establishment of this journal, and its maintenance, are 
 due chiefly to the efforts of the Publication Committees, some 
 members of which, as already stated, assisted at the press ; but to 
 Dr. Isaac Hays especially, we owe acknowledgments for his in- 
 dustry, zealous perseverance, and success, in reviving and sustain- 
 ing the journal through many trials and pecuniary difficulties.* 
 
 The Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences, thus began, 
 continued to be published at irregular intervals, a number being 
 issued whenever sufficient material was furnished to make it up, 
 until 1842, a period of twenty-five years. 
 
 * The Publication Committees, after the first, above named, were as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 1818. George Ord ; Thomas Say. 
 
 (In the year 1819 the publication was suspended for want of money.) 
 
 1821. T. Say, T. Nuttall, Jos. Dulles, Dr. Isaac Hays, Isaac Lea. 
 
 322. T. Say, T. Nuttall, Dr. Isaac Hays, Isaac Lea, Dr. R. E. Griffith. 
 1823. T. Say, Dr. Hays, Isaac Lea, Dr. R. E. Griffith, W. H. Keating. 
 
 This committee continued without change till 
 1826. Dr. S. G. Morton, J. P. Wetherill, Dr. W. Wetherill, J. P. Smith, 
 
 Dr. R. Harlan. 
 1830. Dr. S. G. Morton, Dr. T. M'Euen, S. W. Conrad, Dr. C. Pickering, 
 
 I. Lukens. 
 1834. Dr. Thos. M'Euen, C. A. Poulson, Dr. A. L. Elwyn Dr T. F. 
 
 Betton, W. P. Gibbons. 
 1837. Dr. Thos. M'Euen, Dr. A. L. Elwyn, W. R. Johnson, Dr. J. Carson, 
 
 Dr. Ed. Hallowell. 
 1839. Dr Elwyn, Dr. Carson, Dr. R. Bridges, Dr. Ed. Hallowell, T. A. 
 
 Conrad. 
 1841. Dr Elwyn, Dr. Hallowell, W. S. Vaux, J. S. Phillips, Dr. W. S. 
 
 Zantzinger.
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 
 
 65 
 
 The first series of the Journal consists of eight octavo volumes, 
 each divided into two parts, forming an aggregate of 2,912 pages, 
 illustrated by 161 plates. This series contains 237 papers or 
 articles, describing objects new to naturalists at the time of pub- 
 lication, which are written in a brief and technical manner, be- 
 cause they were designed to inform the scientific. The whole of 
 these papers were contributed by fifty-six authors, a list of whom 
 is appended, as follows : 
 
 No. of articles 
 Name of Author. furnished. 
 
 1. Audubo'n, J. J. J 
 
 2. Bache, A. D. 1 J 
 
 3. Bachman, Rev. John 5 J 
 
 4. Bigsby, J. J. 1 
 
 5. Bonaparte, Chas. 9 
 
 6. Bowen, George T. 2 
 
 7. Coates, B. H. 1 
 
 8. Coates, Reynell 3 
 
 9. Conrad, S. W. 4 
 
 10. Conrad, T. A. 11 
 
 11. Dietz, R. 1 
 
 12. Elliot, Stephen 1 
 
 13. G-reen, Jacob 4 J 
 
 14. Gilliams, Jacob 2 
 
 15. G-odman, John Z>. 2 
 
 16. Homer, W. E. 1 
 
 17. Haldeman, S. S. 4 
 
 18. Hallowell, Edward 3 
 
 19. Hare, Robt. 1 
 
 20. Harlan, R. 22 
 
 21. Harris, T. W. 1 
 
 22. Hentz, N. M. 2 
 
 23. James, Edwin 2 
 
 24. Jessup, Augustus E. 1 
 
 25. Johnson, W. R. 6 
 
 26. Keating, W. S. 2 \ \ 
 
 27. Lea, Isaac 1 
 
 28. Leib, Geo. C. 1 
 
 No. of articles 
 Name of Author. furnished. 
 
 29. Lesueur, C. A. 31 
 
 30. M'Euen, Thos. 1 
 
 31. Maclure, Wm. 2 
 82. Michener, Ezra 1 
 
 33. Mitchell, Saml. L. 1 
 
 34. Morton, Saml Geo. 10 
 
 35. Nuttall, Thos. 12 
 
 36. Ord, George 5 J 
 
 37. Peale, T. R. J 
 
 38. Phillips, John S. 1 
 
 39. Poeppig, Edwardo 1 
 
 40. Rafinesque, C. iS. 1 
 
 41. Randall, J. W. 1 
 
 42. Ravenel, Edmund 1 
 
 43. Rhea, M. 1 
 
 44. Rogers, H. D. 
 
 45. Say, Thos. 32 i f 
 
 46. Schweinitz,Rev.L.D.2 
 
 47. Seybert, H. 1 
 
 48. Townsend, J. K. 5 
 
 49. Troost, Gerard 10 
 
 50. Trudeau, Jas. 2 
 
 51. Vanuxem, Lardner 10 J 
 
 52. Vaux, Roberts % 
 
 53. Wagner, Wm. 1 
 
 54. Wood, Wm. W. 2 
 
 55. Worth, James 1 
 
 56. Zantzinger, Wm. S. 1 
 
 The fraction indicates joint authorship in an article. The 
 names printed in italics are of those known to be deceased. 
 5
 
 66 A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 The year 1817 was eventful in the history of the Academy. 
 A charter was obtained, which gave the Institution a legal exist- 
 ence ; and the publication of the Journal was commenced, which was 
 the means of opening intercourse with learned societies at home 
 and abroad, and making known our own existence. An exchange 
 of Journals, first with the American Philosophical Society, and sub- 
 sequently with other learned societies, was begun and has been con- 
 tinued to the present time, when the publications of the Academy 
 are exchanged with twelve societies within the Union, and thirty- 
 four beyond its limits, in America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. 
 No one act of the Academy has contributed so much to its pros- 
 perity as the publication of this Journal. 
 
 In November of this year, the Academy appointed for the first 
 time, Standing Committees on Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy, and 
 Geology. 
 
 The progress of the Academy was not very rapid ; yet, at the 
 close of 1820, the question of enlarged accommodation once more 
 presented itself for consideration. The Institution had sprung 
 from inconsiderable beginnings, and pursued its objects in a re- 
 tired and unpretending manner, and now in the eighth year of 
 its existence, was favorably recognized by the friends of natural 
 science, both at home and abroad. At that time it numbered 
 about 100 members and 190 correspondents. 
 
 In the year 1823, a committee was appointed to consider the 
 best means of obtaining better accommodations. On the 25th of 
 January, 1825, that committee was discharged and another ap- 
 pointed, consisting of Isaac Hays, M. D., Wm. Mason Walmsley, 
 William Strickland, William S. Warder, Samuel Greo. Morton, 
 M.D., and Roberts Vaux. This committee was continued, and 
 finally succeeded in establishing the Society in new quarters. 
 
 On the 3d of January, 1826, the Society purchased a lot of 
 ground and building at the south-east corner of Twelfth and 
 George Streets, for the sum of $4,300. It had been originally 
 designed, and was used as a place of religious worship for several 
 years by a society of Swedenborgians ; and, to fit it for the pur- 
 poses of the Academy, an expenditure of $1,700 was required, 
 making the aggregate cost about $6,000. This sum was made up 
 of donations from members, to the amount of more than $2,000, 
 the balance being loaned by a few members and others. A debt of 
 $3,000 was thus created, and up to August 1837, only $300 of
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 67 
 
 the amount had been paid off. At that time, Mr. Maclure with 
 his characteristic liberality, presented the Institution with five 
 thousand dollars. The debt was forthwith liquidated, and $2,300 
 placed at interest for the use of the Society. 
 
 The purchase of this property was opposed by some few of the 
 members, who urged that its situation was too remote, and that 
 in winter it would be scarcely accessible to a majority. And Mr. 
 Maclure, when first called upon to contribute towards the purchase, 
 declined on the ground that, though the property was at a moder- 
 ate price, it would never increase in value. He urged that " the 
 community system" must prevail in the course of a few years, 
 and then Philadelphia would be deserted, and those who might 
 live long enough would " see the foxes looking out at the win- 
 dows." But, finding his arguments did not prevail, he subscribed 
 several hundred dollars. 
 
 The Academy met in that hall for the first time on the 9th of 
 May, 1826. The edifice commonly called the " New Jerusalem 
 Church," was forty-four by fifty feet, and surmounted by a dome; 
 the lot of ground on which it stood was ninety-nine by forty- 
 five feet. There is a representation of the old hall on the title 
 page of the sixth volume of the Journal. 
 
 To render the Museum extensively useful, and to diffuse a love 
 of science, the Academy opened it to the public gratuitously in 
 1828 ; and, from that time, it has been visited by citizens and 
 strangers on Tuesday and Friday afternoons throughout the year, 
 tickets of admission being presented by the members to any who 
 may apply for them.* The Legislature of the State, appreciat- 
 ing the liberality and usefulness of the Academy, exempted the 
 Institution from taxation for a period of twenty years from the 
 year 1831. 
 
 Here the collections of the Academy continued to increase? 
 the zeal of the members was unabated. In the year 1837, 
 there was again a demand for increased accommodation, which 
 must be regarded as positive evidence of prosperity. 
 
 On the 22d of April, 1839, the Society purchased the lot at 
 
 * During a considerable period, admission to the Museum was without 
 any restriction whatever on the public days ; but finding that it became a 
 resort for young children, who frequently damaged the cases and collec- 
 tions, it was determined to exclude all who were not provided with tickets, 
 which could always be procured on application to members.
 
 fi g A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 the north-west corner of Broad and George Street for the sum of 
 mm, and on the 25th of May, the corner stone of the pre- 
 sent' edifice was laid with the usual ceremonies. On the occa- 
 on Professor Walter B. Johnson delivered an eloquent and 
 appropriate address, which was published by order of the Society 
 The value of the premises at the corner of Twelfth and George 
 Streets had appreciated very much, but the means of erecting this 
 hall were chiefly derived from William Maclure who subscribed 
 towards this desirable object twenty thousand dollars. Seven- 
 teen thousand dollars were reserved as a building fund, which 
 was largely augmented by liberal donations from members and 
 others interested in the cause of science. 
 
 The Society held its first meeting in this hall, on the 7th ol 
 February, 1840, and from that date to the present the prosperity 
 of the Academy has continued. At no period of its history has 
 its progress been more rapid than during the past ten years; but 
 still the work is incomplete, and demands now greater exertions 
 and more encouragement from the friends of natural science to 
 extend its usefulness. Although the building was enlarged in 
 1847, as already stated, at the expense of Dr. T. B. Wilson, there 
 is not now sufficient space in it for the proper exhibition of the 
 Museum and Library, in both of which there are numerous defi- 
 ciencies. At this time, there is a proposition under considera- 
 tion to raise the building fifteen feet higher ; and thus obtain a 
 room one hundred and ten by forty-two feet, for the display of 
 Wilson's unrivalled collection of birds, which is now too much 
 crowded for convenient study and reference. Should the liber- 
 ality of our fellow-citizens and members enable us to make this 
 addition, we shall be, for a short time at least, better accommo- 
 dated. 
 
 In March, 1841, the Society commenced the publication of the 
 "Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadel- 
 phia," a number being issued every two months, and furnished to 
 subscribers at one dollar a year. This periodicakcontains a record 
 of the meetings of the Academy, which are held every Tuesday 
 evening. Strangers may be present, except at the last meeting 
 in each month, which is reserved for the private business of the 
 Institution. The other or ordinary meetings are devoted to the 
 reading of scientific papers, verbal communications, the reception 
 of donations, &c. &c., all of which are appropriately stated in the 
 "Proceedings."
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 69 
 
 A second series of the Journal of the Academy was commenced 
 in December, 1847. It is in quarto form, and is furnished to sub- 
 scribers at one dollar and a half the number. Six numbers have 
 been published; four of which constitute a volume. This new 
 series embraces at this time forty-five articles by twenty authors, 
 with fifty-nine handsome plates or illustrations; the aggregate 
 consists of five hundred and forty quarto pages : 
 
 Authors. No. of articles. Authors. No. of articles. 
 
 S. F. Baird, 1 Charles D. Meigs, 1 
 
 John Cassin, 9 Samuel Geo. Morton, 1 
 
 J. L. Le Conte, 5 Thomas Nuttall, 1 
 
 T. A. Conra.d, 5 D. D. Owen, 1 1 1 
 
 James Deane, 1 Richard Owen, 1 
 
 William Gambel, 3 B. F. Shumard, 1 J 
 
 Robert W. Gibbes, 4 Richard C. Taylor, 1 
 
 S. S. Haldeman, 2 M. Tuomey, ' 1 
 
 Isaac Lea, ' 1 J. K. Townsend, 1 
 
 Joseph Leidy, 4 S. W. Woodhouse, 1 
 
 The fractions indicate joint authorship of an article. 
 
 The authors of contributions receive no remuneration for their 
 labors. These periodicals are sustained by subscription, assisted 
 by a legacy from the late Mrs. Elizabeth Stott. She bequeathed 
 two thousand dollars, to be securely invested, and the interest to 
 be expended in " printing and publishing such papers communi- 
 cated to the Academy, as it may direct," to be published. It is 
 expended exclusively on the Journal. 
 
 As already stated, the founders of the Institution were seven 
 in number. Since the 16th of April, 1812, when the first election 
 took place, up to the 31st of December, 1851, 420 gentlemen and 
 1 lady have been elected members, making an aggregate of 428. 
 Of this number 112 became "life members," 38 of whom are 
 known to be deceased ; so that there are 74 members at this time 
 exempt from the payment of annual contributions. Of the 317 
 ordinary members, 46 are known to have deceased ; many have 
 removed from the city, some have resigned, and a few have been 
 erased from the list of members. The books of the treasurer 
 show that, in the year 1861, there were only 69 annual sub- 
 scribers ; so that at this time, the number of members does not 
 probably exceed 200. 
 
 From the formation of the Society up to December 31, 1851,
 
 1Q A NOTICE OF THE 
 
 306 persons, resident within the United States, but not of this 
 city, and 277 persons resident in foreign countries, or an aggre- 
 gate of 583, have been elected correspondents. Of this number, 
 98 are known to be deceased. The number of correspondents at 
 this time does not probably exceed 450. 
 
 Supposing that every member and every correspondent elected 
 has done something to advance the Institution, its present con- 
 dition is due, on the most liberal estimate, to the joint liberality 
 and labors of not more than one thousand individuals, in all parts 
 of the world, in the course of forty years. In that period, the 
 population of Philadelphia has increased from less than one hun- 
 dred, to more than four hundred thousand ; yet from this great 
 number of people, in all that time, only four hundred and twenty- 
 eight citizens of Philadelphia have become members, and con- 
 tributed to the advancement of the Academy of Natural Sciences, 
 an institution for the acquisition and diffusion of knowledge, 
 second to none in this city or State. 
 
 The Institution is supported exclusively by donations, and the 
 annual contributions of its members, of whom very few possess 
 superfluous means. It owns no domain yielding revenue ; yet, 
 in spite of a mortgage debt on the building of eleven thousand 
 dollars, it has thus far lived, and almost flourished, on means 
 afforded by the generous who are lovers of science. Debt is no 
 less baneful to the prosperity of institutions than of individuals ; 
 until this mortgage be considerably reduced, or entirely paid 
 off, the legitimate income of the Society exclusively, is not more 
 than sufficient to defray the cost of warming and lighting the 
 building, and of preserving the library and collections from in- 
 jury and loss. The most careful management of its fiscal affairs 
 now, is essential to the continuous success of the Academy ; but 
 it cannot be denied that there is at this moment a pressing 
 demand for increased accommodation, to advantageously arrange 
 and display the collections, several of which are not accessible 
 to the public, or even readily to members, for want of space 
 to exhibit them: besides, the preservation of zoological specimens 
 is rendered, difficult by crowding them together. 
 
 What length of time must elapse before this serious obstacle 
 to the advancement of the Society will be removed, it is not easy 
 to conjecture. But it is hoped that in this great and wealthy 
 population, there will be found a sufficient number of liberal, pub- 
 
 c-spmted citizens, who will not permit the Academy of Natural
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 71 
 
 Sciences of Philadelphia to languish for the want of a sum of 
 money, less than is sometimes expended in preparing an ephe- 
 meral pageant of welcome to a stranger, or to secure the election 
 of a political aspirant to some office of two or three years' tenure. 
 
 There is enough in the past history of the Academy and 
 in its present condition, imperfect as it is, to encourage all to 
 labor industriously in the cause of science. Even in its earlier 
 years, it had won the respect of the government of the United 
 States. Its archives show that members of the Cabinet at Wash- 
 ington officially invited and accepted suggestions from the Aca- 
 demy, in planning Major Long's expedition to the Rocky Moun- 
 tains, and the South Sea Exploring Expedition, under the direc- 
 tion of Commander Wilkes of the Navy. Members of the 
 Institution accompanied both expeditions ; and by their labors 
 rendered the result more valuable and useful to the country than 
 they could have been without the assistance of naturalists. 
 
 Our efforts in behalf of the Academy are contributions to the 
 cause of American science, the advance of which must benefit 
 our city, our State, and the whole Union. An example of in- 
 dustry now may stimulate those who succeed us here, to perform 
 what will reflect back credit upon us, though we gain none for 
 ourselves. Let us continue what has been so well begun, and 
 endeavor, each and all of us, to contribute something towards 
 the increase and diffusion of knowledge. Our fellow citizens, 
 seeing us in earnest at our work, will not fail to foster and 
 encourage labors which have for their object the common interests 
 of the people. They may be assured that our Institution, 
 humble as it is, has contributed towards our national respecta- 
 bility abroad ; if they should doubt it, show them how our museum 
 and library assisted our fellow-members, Say, Godman, Harlan, 
 Morton, and others, in acquiring such an eminent degree of 
 learning as has made their names, and consequently that of their 
 country, familiar wherever knowledge is respected. 
 
 Our Institution constitutes a record of the munificence, and 
 liberality, and industry, of individuals, who desire to see the 
 laws of nature ascertained and made manifest to all ; a record 
 upon which every citizen may inscribe his name by contributing 
 to the advancement of human knowledge in any, or in all the 
 branches of natural science. The museum, the library, the 
 treasury, are all open to acts of liberality. The scope of the 
 Institution embraces the establishment of free lectures, whenever
 
 72 A NOTICE OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 
 
 the spirit of generosity may endow the Academy with means for 
 the purpose. Some of the founders hoped the time would come 
 when a botanical garden, as well as a zoological garden, would 
 constitute parts of the Institution. Their hopes may yet be 
 realized ; and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 
 may one day compare with the British Museum, or the celebrated 
 museum of the Jardin des Plantes, of Paris, which owe so much 
 to the patronage of royal governments. 
 
 This Institution has no acknowledgments to make for patron- 
 age received from the political government. Except only the Act 
 of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to ex- 
 empt the property occupied by the Academy from taxation, the 
 Government of the State has not done anything to encourage the 
 diffusion of knowledge by the labors of this Society.* This cir- 
 cumstance may, in the opinion of some persons, add to the honor 
 of the Academy ; while others may fancy the Legislature would 
 pursue a wise policy to assist an Institution, whose labors are 
 manifestly directed towards the diffusion of knowledge, because 
 it is, in fact, one of the public schools, through the instrumentality 
 of which every citizen may acquire useful information. 
 
 * Extract of " An Act, relative to certain taxes in the counties of Centre, 
 Lycoming, and Clinton, and for other purposes." 
 
 SECT. 2. Whereas by an act of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, 
 passed the 7th day of February, A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty-one, the 
 hall and lot of ground belonging to the Academy of Natural Sciences of 
 Philadelphia, were exempted from taxation ; and whereas, in order to afford 
 more extensive accommodations for their library, museum, and collections 
 of natural history, and to increase the usefulness of the said Academy of 
 Natural Sciences, they have sold their former property, and applied the 
 proceeds thereof towards the purchase of another lot of ground, and the 
 erection thereon of a more commodious and larger hall : Therefore, 
 
 " Be it enacted by the authority of the same, That the hall and lot of ground 
 belonging to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, situated in 
 Broad Street, in the city of Philadelphia, be, and is hereby exempted from 
 all state, county, corporation, and school taxes, so long as the said hall and 
 Jot of ground shall belong to, and be used for the purposes of the said 
 Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 
 
 WM. HOPKINS, 
 Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
 
 ED. KINSBURY, 
 Speaker of the Senate. 
 for r ' '' the eleventh da y of June > one thousand eight hundred and 
 
 DAVID R. PORTER.
 
 OFFICERS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES 
 
 OF PHILADELPHIA, 
 
 FOR 1852. 
 
 PRESIDENT. 
 GEORGE ORD. 
 
 VICE-PRESIDENTS. 
 
 JOHN PRICE WETHERILL, 
 ROBERT BRIDGES, M. D. 
 
 CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. 
 
 JOHN CASSIN. 
 
 RECORDING SECRETARY. 
 B. HOWARD RAND, M. D. 
 
 LIBRARIAN. 
 WM. S. ZANTZINGER, M. D. 
 
 TREASURER. 
 GEORGE W. CARPENTER. 
 
 CURATORS. 
 
 JOSEPH LEIDY, M. D. 
 WILLIAM S. VAUX, 
 SAMUEL ASHMEAD, 
 JOHN CASSIN. 
 
 AUDITORS. 
 
 WILLIAM S. VAUX, 
 SAMUEL ASHMEAD, 
 ROBERT PEARSALL. 
 
 COMMITTEE OP PUBLICATION. 
 
 WILLIAM S. VAUX, 
 
 ROBERT BRIDGES, M. D. 
 
 THOMAS B. WILSON, M. D. 
 
 ISAAC LEA, 
 
 W. S. W. RUSCHENBERGER, M.D.
 
 STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1852. 
 
 1. Ethnology. 
 
 John S. Phillips, 
 James C. Fisher, 
 Robert Pearsall. 
 
 '2. Comparative Anatomy and General 
 Zoology. 
 
 Joseph Leidy, 
 Edward Hallowell, 
 John Xeill. 
 
 3. Mammalogy. 
 
 James C. Fisher, 
 Elisha J. Lewis, 
 S. W. Woodhouse. 
 
 4. Ornithology. 
 
 John Cassin, 
 Edward Harris, 
 Thomas B. Wilson. 
 
 5. Herpetology and Ichthyology. 
 
 Edward Hallowell, 
 John Cassin, 
 William Keller. 
 
 6. Conchology. 
 
 Isaac Lea, 
 
 Thomas B. Wilson, 
 
 W. S. W. Ruschenberger. 
 
 7. Entomology and Crustacea. 
 
 S. S. Haldeman, 
 Robert Bridges, 
 W. S. Zantzinger. 
 
 8. Botany. 
 
 R. Bridges, 
 
 W. S. Zantzinger, 
 
 Gavin Watson. 
 
 9. Palaeontology. 
 
 T. A. Conrad, 
 Joseph Leidy, 
 B. Howard Rand. 
 
 10. Geology. 
 
 J. Price Wetherill, 
 Theodore F. Moss, 
 Aubrey H. Smith. 
 
 11. Mineralogy. 
 
 Wm. S. Vaux, 
 Samuel Ashmead, 
 Charles M. Wetherill, 
 
 12. Physics. 
 
 Benjamin H. Coates, 
 James C. Fisher, 
 William Parker Foulke. 
 
 13. Library. 
 
 Thomas B. Wilson, 
 Robert Bridges, 
 Robert E. Peterson. 
 
 14. Proceedings. 
 
 William S. Zantzinger, 
 
 Joseph Leidy, 
 
 W. S. W. Ruschenberger.
 
 MEMBERS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ACADEMY OF NATUEAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 [DECEMBER 31, 1851.] 
 
 fST" Names of members known to be deceased are in italics. 
 
 Names of life members are preceded by an asterisk (*). 
 
 Names of members who are not residents of the city, are followed by the let- 
 ters (K R.) 
 
 Names of those who were originally elected correspondents, and became mem- 
 bers by removal to the city, are followed by (Corres.) 
 
 The names of those who have resigned, or who have forfeited their member- 
 ship, are not included in this list. 
 
 Correspondents are regarded as members when they reside permanently in the 
 city. 
 
 Allinson, N. S., M.D. Dec. 11, 1812. 
 Anthony, Thomas Jan. 5, 1813. 
 
 Abert, J. J., Col. (N. R.) Oct. 1828. 
 
 Alden, Charles H. 
 *Ashmead, Samuel 
 Ashmead, Samuel B. 
 Allen, Nathan, M. D. 
 Allen, W. H. 
 Allinson, George B. 
 
 June, 1837. 
 Sept. 1839. 
 Jan. 1843. 
 Aug. 1841. 
 Aug. 1851. 
 April, 1847. 
 
 *Barnes, John, M.D. (N.R.) April, 1812. 
 *Barton, Edward, M. D. Aug. 1815. 
 *Brown, Moses Feb. 1817. 
 
 *Biddle, Nicholas Jan. 1818. 
 
 Bowen George T. Nov. 1822. 
 
 Birch, William Y. Dec. 1823. 
 
 Bonaparte, Charles L. (N. R.) Feb. 1824. 
 *Bancker, Charles N. April, 1824. 
 *Brewer, John M. (Corres.) Oct. 1820. 
 *Beck, Charles F., M. D. June, 1827. 
 Betton, Thos. F., M.D. (N. R.) Dec. 1828. 
 13ache, Alex. Dallas (N. R.) Jan. 1829. 
 
 Bond, Henry, M. D. Jan. 1830. 
 
 *Burrough,Marmaduke,M.D. Nov. 1830. 
 ^Bridges, Robert, M. D. Jan. 1835. 
 Bowie, Thos. L. Nov. 1835. 
 
 Browne, Peter A. Aug. 1841. 
 
 *Biddle, Alexander Aug. 1848. 
 
 Barton, Thomas Pennant April, 1849. 
 Belknap, Henry (N. R.) May, 1849. 
 Buck, Francis N. Jan. 1850. 
 
 *Biddle, Clement, Jr. May, 1850. 
 
 Brinton, John H. June, 1851. 
 
 Burtt, J. L., M. D. (N. R.) Oct. 1851. 
 *Baird, S. F. (N.R.) (Corres.) Aug. 1842. 
 
 Coma, de Serra, Joseph, Feb. 8, 1814. 
 Coze, Alexander S. Feb. 21, 1815. 
 
 * Collins, Zaccheus March 7, 1815. 
 
 Cleaver, Isaac, M. D. Jan. 1817. 
 
 *Clark, Edward (N. R.) Jan, 1817. 
 *Carmait, Caleb (N. R.) Aug. 1817. 
 *Coates, BenjaminH., M.D. April, 1818. 
 ^Carpenter, George W, July, 1825.
 
 76 
 
 LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 *Clark, John Y., M.D. (N.R.) Feb. 1826. 
 * Conrad, Solomon W. March, 1826. 
 
 *Gerhard, Wm. W., M. D. Nov. 1835. 
 Gambel, Wm., M. D. Aug. 1843. 
 
 Conrad, Timothy A. Jan. 1831. 
 
 Germain, Lewis J. (N. R.) April, 1846. 
 
 Carson, Joseph, M. D. Oct. 1833. 
 
 Goddard, Kingston, Rev. Jan. 1848. 
 
 Chase, Heber, M. D. Aug. 1836. 
 
 Grant, Wm. Robertson, M.D. Dec. 1849. 
 
 *Clay, Joseph A. Aug. 1837. 
 
 
 Camac, William M. March, 1839. 
 
 *Haines, Reuben Nov. 1813. 
 
 '*Cresson, Charles C. Sept. 1840. 
 
 *Hare, Robert Nov. 1813. 
 
 *Cassin, John Sept. 1842. 
 
 Hazard, Samuel (Corres.) Jan. 1814. 
 
 Curtis, Josiah (N. R.) June, 1843. 
 
 *Harlan, Richard, M. D. Oct. 1815. 
 
 Cuesta, Ferd. de la (N. R.) Nov. 1844. 
 
 *Hays, Isaac, M. D. July, 1818. 
 
 Cope, Caleb Jan. 1848. 
 
 Hentz, N. M. (N. R.) May, 1819. 
 
 *Cooke, John Jan. 1848. 
 
 Hering, C. (Corres.) Oct. 1826. 
 
 Caldcleugh, A. Robert Nov. 1851. 
 
 *Hembel, Wm. Sept. 1824. 
 
 
 Horsfield, S. C. C. (N. R.) Oct. 1830. 
 
 *Dobson, Judah Nov. 1813. 
 
 Huffnagle, Ch., M.D.(N. R.) Nov. 1830. 
 
 Davit, David Jones, M. D. June, 1815. 
 
 Hallowell, Edward, M. D. Feb. 1834. 
 
 *Dulles, Joseph H. Feb. 1816. 
 
 *Harris, Edward (N. R.) July, 1835. 
 
 *Dielz, Rudolph Jan. 1821. 
 
 *Haldeman, Sam. S. (N. R.) Jan. 1837. 
 
 Dunn, A'athan (Corres.) June, 1828. 
 
 *Holmes, Charles Feb. 1838. 
 
 Davis, Chas., M.D. (N. R.) March, 1842. 
 
 Hiester, JohnP., M.D. (N.R.)Nov. 1843. 
 
 Darrach, WiUiam, M. D. May, 1844. 
 
 *Haines, J. S. (N. R.) March, 1841. 
 
 Dundas, James Aug. 1844. 
 
 Heerman, Adolph L. April, 1845. 
 
 Dickeson, M. W., M. D. Oct. 1846. 
 
 Hartshorne, Edward, M. D. May, 1847. 
 
 
 *Haines, Robert B. (N. R.) Jan. 1848. 
 
 Eberle, John, M. D. April, 1819. 
 
 *Horner, W. E., M. D. Feb. 1849. 
 
 *Ellmaker, Levi April, 1829. 
 
 Henry, Bernard, M. D. May, 1849. 
 
 Elwyn, Alf. Langdon, M. D. Dec. 1831. 
 
 
 Evans, Edm'dC., M.D. (N.R.) Nov. 1838. 
 
 Jones, Thos. P., M. D. Dec. 1812. 
 
 *Ellet, Charles, Jr. April, 1842. 
 
 * James, Thomas C., M. D. March, 1814. 
 
 Emery, Moses H. Sept. 1847. 
 
 *Jessup, August E. Nov. 1818. 
 
 
 Johnson, Walter R. (N. R.) Feb. 1827. 
 
 Frazier, Robert April, 1814. 
 
 Jackson, Isaac R. Aug. 1841. 
 
 * Fisher, Joseph May, 1821. 
 
 * Jordan, John Jan. 1851. 
 
 Fisher, Thomas April, 1824. 
 
 *Jaudon, Samuel (N. R.) Jan. 1836. 
 
 Foster, William A. (N. R.) Nov. 1833. 
 
 
 Foster, Hudson S. Jan. 1834. 
 
 *Kneass, Wm. May, 1814. 
 
 Frazcr, John F. Aug. 1835. 
 
 *Keating, Wm. H. April, 1816. 
 
 *Frost, John Sept. 1844. 
 
 Keagy, John M., M. D. Jan. 1833. 
 
 French, Bcnj. F. (Corres.) Jan. 1843. 
 
 Kane, Elisha K., M. D. Dec. 1843. 
 
 Foulke, Wm. Parker Nov. 1849. 
 
 *Kilvington, Robert April, 1843. 
 
 Fisher, James C., M. D. July, 1850. 
 
 King, Edward March, 1843. 
 
 
 Kern, H. Richard May, 1847. 
 
 *Gilliams, Jacob (Found.) Jan. 25, 1812. 
 
 King, Charles R., M. D. June, 1843. 
 
 Griffith, R. E., M. D. May, 1815. 
 
 Kern, Benj. J., M. D. Sept. 1847. 
 
 Godman, John D. July, 1821. 
 
 Kern, Edward M. Oct. 1847. 
 
 Goddard, Paul Beck, M. D. Feb. 1829. 
 
 Klemm, Charles Oct. 1847. 
 
 Griscom, Samuel S. Nov. 1830. 
 
 Keller, Wilhelm, M. D. Nov. 1847. 
 
 Gibbons, Wm. P. (N. R.) Nov. 1833. 
 
 
 Combes, Sam. WetherUl April, 1834. 
 
 *Lukens, Isaiah June, 1812.
 
 LIST OF MEMBERS. 
 
 77 
 
 Le Conte, John (Corres.) Feb. 1815. 
 
 Pickering, Chas., M.D. (N. R.) 1827. 
 
 *Lea, Isaac June, 1815. 
 
 Penrose, Saml. S. Nov. 1830. 
 
 Lea, John May, 1815. 
 
 *Peterson, Robt. E. April, 1831. 
 
 Longstreth, Joshua June, 1815. 
 
 Porter, R. R. June, 1833. 
 
 *Lesueur, C. A. Jan. 1818. 
 
 Pearsall, Robert Dec. 1835. 
 
 *Leidy, Joseph, M. D. July, 1845. 
 
 Phillips, John S. July, 1836. 
 
 Le Conte, J. L.,M.D. (Cor.) Feb. 1845. 
 
 Pepper, Wm., M. D. Feb. 1837. 
 
 Land, John (N. R.) May 1836. 
 
 Poulson, Charles A., Jr. Aug. 184L 
 
 Lewis, Elisha J., M. D. July, 1846. 
 
 Percival, Thomas C. Jan. 1845. 
 
 *Lambert, John Nov. 1846. 
 
 Powel, Samuel July, 1847. 
 
 Lea, M. Carey Sept. 1847. 
 
 Tancoast, Joseph, M.D. Dec. 1847. 
 
 *Lennig, Charles Oct. 1847. 
 
 Patton, Rev. John Dec. 1851. 
 
 Ludlow, John L., M. D. Nov. 1847. 
 
 
 Lejee, Wm. R. Feb. 1848. 
 
 *Rotch, Joseph Feb. 1814. 
 
 Lea, H. C. Feb. 1848. 
 
 ^Randolph, Richard May, 1814. 
 
 Lewis, Francis W., M. D. Oct. 1849. 
 
 Richardson, Caleb Dec. 1814. 
 
 *Lennig, Francis July, 1851. 
 
 *Rotch, Thomas Feb. 1816. 
 
 Langstroth, Rev. Lorenzo L. Sept. 1851. 
 
 Rafinesque, C. S. Feb. 1816. 
 
 
 *Read, James Dec. 1824. 
 
 *Mann, C. M. (Founder) Jan. 1812. 
 
 Reeve, Mark M., M. D. March, 1831. 
 
 *McEuen, Thos., M. D. May, 1818. 
 
 Rogers, Henry D. (N. R.) Nov. 1833. 
 
 *Morton, Sam. Geo., M. D. April, 1820. 
 
 Rivinus, Ed. F., M. D. (N. R.) Jan. 1834. 
 
 *Mitchell, John K., M. D. July, 1822. 
 
 Ryan, Thomas Jan. 1836. 
 
 *Maclure, Wm. July, 1812. 
 
 Rogers, R. E., M. D. (N. R.) Feb. 1837. 
 
 Mickle, Andrew E., M. D. June, 1831. 
 
 Rogers, James B., M. D. Oct. 1847. 
 
 Mutter, Thos. D., M. D. July, 1833. 
 
 *Rosengarten, Samuel G. May, 1850. 
 
 McEuen, Charles Dec. 1834. 
 
 Remington, Richard P. Nov. 1850. 
 
 Mifflin, George March, 1835. 
 
 Rice, W. M. Dec. 1842. 
 
 Miller, Clement S. Dec. 1836. 
 
 *Rand, B. Howard, M. D. Jan. 1851. 
 
 *Markland, John H. May, 1839. 
 
 Ruschenberger, W. S. W., 
 
 *Maclure, Alexander Dec. 1840. 
 
 M.D. (Corres.) May, 1832. 
 
 Moss, Theodore F. June, 1845. 
 
 
 McCall, G. A., Col. (Corres.) June 1847. 
 
 *Shinn, John, Jr. (Founder) Jan. 1812. 
 
 McClellan, JohnH. B., M. D. Nov. 1847. 
 
 *Speakman, John (Founder) Jan. 1812. 
 
 Meigs, Charles D., M. D. April, 1848. 
 
 *Say, Thomas (Founder) April, 1812. 
 
 McMichael, Wm. (N. R.) June, 1850. 
 
 *Stouse, Joseph, M. D. May, 1812. 
 
 
 *Say, Benjamin June, 1813. 
 
 *Norris, Wm. Jr. Dec. 1830. 
 
 *Smith, Charles W. Dec. 1815. 
 
 Neill, John, M. D. May, 1847. 
 
 *Smith, Jacob R. Dec. 1815. 
 
 *Norris, Octavus A. Oct. 1849. 
 
 Stockton, E. B. May, 1815. 
 
 
 Stewart, William (N.R.) June, 1823. 
 
 *0rd, George Sept. 1815. 
 
 *Spackman, George, M. D. July, 1825. 
 
 
 *Smith, Jos. P. Feb. 1826. 
 
 *Parmantier, N. S. (Found.) Jan. 1812. 
 
 *Seybert, Henry Dec. 1826. 
 
 *Peirce, Jacob Dec. 1813. 
 
 Steinhaur, Daniel, Rev. July, 1829. 
 
 *Patterson, Robt. M., M. D. Jan. 1816. 
 
 Smith, John B. April, 1834. 
 
 *Peale, Titian R. (N. R.) Aug. 1817. 
 
 *Simmons, John July, 1835. 
 
 *Poulson, Chas. A. Sept. 1823. 
 
 Shoemaker, Benjamin Sept. 1835. 
 
 *Pennock, C. W., M.D.(N.R.)June, 1824. 
 
 Snelling, Samuel Aug. 1836. 
 
 * Preston, Jonas, M. D. Jan. 1825. 
 
 *Say, Mrs. Lucy W. (N. R.) Oct. 1841.

 
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 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES 
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