such as the Port Folio, the Analectic Magazine, the Portico, &c, have not forgotten to bestow a share of their attention on sciences. But it is in the periodical medical journals, (and scientific publications,) that the greatest share of natural knowledge has been introduced, as if we would imitate the early periods of European science, in connecting natural with medical sciences. The Medical Repository of New-York conducted principally by Dr. Mitchill, and alternately by Dr. Miller, Dr. Akerly, and Dr. Pascalis, and which begun in 1797, has lasted with success ever since, includes the greatest mass of facts and knowledge on the natural history of our country, and on physical and chemical improvements. Dr. Benjamin Barton's Medical and Physical Journal, which lasted only from 1804 to 1808, ranks next, and contains many valuable tracts on natural history. The other works of a similar nature, which may deserve our notice, are Mease's Archives, Cooper's Emporium, the Medical Journals of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Boston, the Medical and Philosophical Register of New-York, the Eclectic Repertory, &c.

Periodical works, exclusively dedicated to natural science generally, or to pecuJiar branches of it, have not yet been numerous, owing, perhaps, to a deficiency of public patronage, although it would appear that the numbers of individuals feeling an interest in such studies, might afford a sufficient encouragement. Whenever a regular and general work of that nature shall be countenanced it may become of permanent utility. Dr. Bruce's Mineralogical Journal, which began to appear in 1810, but of which only a few numbers have been published, at irregular intervals, was perhaps the first ever attempted in the United States; and it contains much valuable matter on mineralogy and geology: it is contemplated to be continued occasionally. The Monthly Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia, begun this year, is the next; it assumes zoology and botany principally, and its concise shape will not diminish its utility. The Annals of Nature, which were to begin this year, have been postponed for a few years, and the Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History are soon to be undertaken on a suitable plan.

Notwithstanding the collective utility of the above works, they are liable to one objection, if they contribute to spread and diffuse knowledge, yet they scatter it too much; as it is difficult to become

acquainted with, or to possess the whole collections; so that if it were possible to embody, in some suitable shape, the most interesting, or new matter, which they contain, the acquisition of such knowledge would be greatly facilitated hereafter. Many tracts and pamphlets are of ten lost or forgotten, which might by this means be rescued from oblivion.

Although a particular notice of the works of each author will belong to the second part of this Essay, it may be proper to indicate here which were the principal works on natural sciences, published during the period we allude to, or some of those which we conceive to have a claim on our gratitude, as having aided to enlarge the sphere of our knowledge.

Those that deserve the first rank are Wilson's Ornithology of the United States, which, for brilliancy of style, elegance, accuracy and novelty, can boldly be compared with Buffon's natural history of birds.-Muhlenberg's botanical works now in the press.-Elliot's Botany of the Southern States, which has just begun to be published.-Mitchill's Fishes of NewYork, an original work, on a subject entirely new.-Lewis's and Clarke's travels on the Missouri and to the North-West Coast of America, which are replete with new facts and discoveries, &c.

The following claim also our attention, although of minor importance: Cleavelands's Mineralogy, Barton's elements of Botany, Clinton's Discourse, Drayton's view of South-Carolina, Drake's view of Cincinnati, Williamson on the climate of America, Mease's Geological survey of the United States, Ellicot's astronomical and meteorological observations, Morse's geography of the United States, &c.

Many valuable works have been published in Europe, which have a reference to our country, and are grounded on observations made in it; they belong, therefore, (in part at least.) to our scientific attainments. Among these the following deserve our notice: Volney's view of the climate and soil of the United States, Michaux's Flora Boreali-Americana, Pursh's Flora of North-America, Vieillot's Histoire naturelle des Oiseaux de l'Amerique Septentrionale, (a work anterior to Wilson's, but unknown to him,) Robin's voyages à la Louisiane, Michaux Junior's Trees of North-America, &c.

A small proportion only of the valuable works published in Europe on the natural sciences are reprinted, or even imported into the United States; but some popular works are occasionally or

periodically republished, which help us materially to improve ourselves; among which we deem the following worthy of notice; Davy's philosophy of chemistry and agricultural chemistry, Rees's Ency clopedia, the Edinburgh Encyclopedia, (which contains the latest improvements in natural sciences,) Chaptal's chemistry, St. Pierre's Studies of Nature, Volney's view of the United States, Aikin's Mineralogy, some scientific journals, the travels of Salt, Barrows, Humboldt, &c. A few original translations have even been undertaken, such as Molina's history of Chili, Richard's Botanical Dictionary, &c. The printing of useful works has generally increased in this century, not how ever in proportion with the publication of books of a less permanent value. It is much to be wished that our publishers, without divesting themselves totally of their private views and purposes, would encourage and patronize works of an original nature, or an useful tendency, in preference to those of a lighter cast.

The States which have conspicuously distinguished themselves in the cultivation and promotion of science, or the number of eminent characters they have produced, are New-York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and South Carolina. Those which appear to have been the least conspicuous, are New-Jersey and Vermont, the small States of Delaware and Rhode-Island, and the new States of Tennessee, Louisiana, Indiana, and Mississippi. Let us hope that a noble emulation may arise between them, destitute of any little jealousy, each striving to excel the other in liberality, energy, and accumulation of knowledge, We shall proceed to give a survey of the collective labours of each class of society, and each class of scientific writers, wishing thereby to inspire them likewise with a spirit of emulation, that each may endeavour to do most, and become preeminent.

The class of Physicians has stood till now, foremost in point of numbers and qualifications; their liberal education and extensive instruction fits them for study and scientific pursuits. They fill generally the chairs in the universities, and some of our most eminent writers belong to this class; such as Dr. Mitchill, Dr. Barton, Dr. Rush, Dr. Hosack, Dr. Mease, &c. They are continually increasing in number and respectability; and when it is considered, that nearly eight hundred students of medicine annually attend the lectures in the Universities of Philadelphia, New-York, Bos

ton, Baltimore, &c, and more than one hundred receive annually their degrees, it may easily be conceived that their body is not likely to diminish.

We shall probably be unable to notice, in our account of individual labours, ali the members of the medical class who have communicated to the public, through the journals, or otherwise, partial labours, connected with natural sciences, but we avail ourselves of this opportunity to mention the names of some of those, who have added to our stock of knowledge.

Some facts connected with the natural history of man have been partly elucidated by Dr.Warren of Boston; Drs. Pascalis, Francis, and Hosack, of New-York, Dr. Davidge of Baltimore, Dr. Wistar, and Dr. Physick of Philadelphia, Dr. Rush, Dr. Brickell, Rev. Dr. S. S. Smith, &c.

Mineral Springs have been analyzed by Dr. Seaman, Dr. Waterhouse, Dr. Meade, Dr. Rouelle, Dr. Green, Dr. Steele, &c.

Many important parts of materia medica have been illustrated, particularly those derived from the vegetable kingdom, by Dr. Macbride, Dr. Lining, Dr. Chapman, Dr. Akerly, Dr. Glen, Dr. Bigelow, &c. and of course by Dr. B. Barton and Dr. S. L. Mitchill, who have paid attention to this and every other part of medicine connected with nature.

Among the inaugural dissertations or theses, published annually to obtain the degrees of M. D. several are on the properties of our native plants, which have, thereby, been often thoroughly investigated. A collection of those theses, or rather an epitome of their contents would be a valuable addition to our knowledge of practical botany. It may not be improper to notice a few: on Phytolaca decandra, by Dr. Shultz, on Fucus edulis, by Dr. Griffin, on Rhus glabrum and vernir, by Dr. Horsefield, on Arbutus uvaursi, by Dr. J. J. Mitchill, on Magnolia glauca, on Eupatorium perfoliatum, on Lariodendron tulipiferum, on Cornus florida, on Pyrola maculata, on Asclepias decumbens, &c. &c.

Fewer parts of animal materia-medica have been investigated; we can only remember the memoirs of Dr. Isaac Chapman, on some new American species of officinal Meloes, and Dr. Waterhouse, Junr. on some new species of American officinal Leeches or Hirudos, &c.

Some other medical gentlemen have paid attention to the economical uses of organized bodies, and their natural history, such as Dr. Bancroft on vegetable dyes, Dr. Seybert, on fixing the dyes afforded by plants, Dr. Barnwell, and Dr.

Fothergill on the power of habit in plants and animals, &c. but we are yet in want of a general work on our native dyes, and all the economical uses of our native plants.

The names and labours of many other worthy physicians may be seen on perusal of the Medical Repository, and other medical journals, which we unwillingly omit, from a fear of swelling this essay beyond our original intention.

After the medical faculty, the next class is that of our enlightened clergymen: many of whom do not disdain to enlighten the minds as well as the souls of their fellow-citizens. Their attainments and leisure enable them to devote much learning and time to useful pursuits whenever they are so inclined. Their influence is great over the bulk of the nation, and their examples might find many imitators. They generally fill the literary professorships in the colleges, and on them devolves therefore the instruction of youth. Among the worthy members of the clergy who have studied or taught to advantage, the_natural sciences, we shall mention the Rev. Dr. Henry Muhlenburgh, the Rev. Drs. Cutler, Collins, Dwight, S. S. Smith, Vanvleck, Schoef fer, Steinhover, Dencke, Melsheimer, &c. Our enterprising merchants have it in their power to do much in favour of science, and to forward or increase our knowledge of foreign countries and productions by employing enlightened supercargoes and captains, or by directing them to bring home useful and rare productions, with which they may chance to meet. Let us consider that we scarcely know yet one third part of the fishes and animals that swim in the sea, that the whole productions of the east and west shores of Africa, the whole west shore of America from Cape Horn to Behring's strait, and nearly the whole of the eastern shore from Cape Florida to the islands of Falkland, besides Australia, Polynesia, Borneo, &c. are nearly unknown; even their plants, reptiles, and shells! What a vast field of inquiry for whoever has the least share of self-pride or good will! Our mercantile gentlemen and travellers may therefore add greatly to our general knowledge, and raise our national character. They have begun to do it, and we could name many merchants and mariners who have added to our collections and museums; and not a few who have increased the stock of our knowledge: but our catalogue would be too incomplete to do justice to this class of our fellow-citizens.

Gentlemen of the navy, and consuls, have the same means in their power abroad, and officers of the army on our frontiers. I shall mention with pleasure the names of Com, Decatur, Capt. Porter, &c. of the navy; Mr. Rich, consul at Alicant; Mr. Warren, consul at Paris; and Capts. Lewis and Clarke, and Major Pike, &c. of the army; as having partly been engaged in enlarging the sphere of our knowledge.

The profession of the law would appear the least likely to afford men of science, yet we feel proud to notice among its members some of our most eminent and useful citizens, such as Chancellor Livingston, Judges Peters, Cooper, Davis, Woodward, &c.

Among our wealthy citizens, planters, proprietors, &c. we notice with pleasure the names of Thomas Jefferson, De Witt Clinton, General Humphreys, Col. Geo. Gibbs, Messrs. Dunbar, Z. Collins, R. Haines, Leconte, W. Hamilton, Herbemont, &c. Such gentlemen possessing wealth and leisure, employ both to advantage and honour by patronising those who are deficient in either, or by attending carefully to the pleasing studies which natural objects afford.

Some other classes or professions have also produced men of talents and zeal: we shall notice among the professors, Messrs. Peck, Griscom, Patterson, Cleaveland, &c.; among the engineers and surveyors, Messrs. Ellicot, Fulton, Dewitt, Partridge, Latrobe, Baldwin, &c.; among the geographers and travellers, Messrs. Mellish, Spafford, Morse, Darby, Harris, Brackenridge, Ker, Hutchins, &c.; and among the historians, Belknap, author of the history of New Hampshire; Sullivan of Maine, Williams of Vermont, Ramsay of South Carolina, Williamson of North Carolina, Smith of New-York, &c.; some of which were published at the close of the last century. They have all added something to the knowledge of our country.

Many ladies begin to show a taste for useful pursuits; they attend botanical and chemical lectures; but none have, as yet, distinguished themselves. The only one that may deserve mention, is Mrs. Gambold, who sent plants to the Rev. Dr. Muhlenberg from the Cherokee country; others are satisfied by feeling a lively interest in the pursuits and success of their relatives.

Writers, or eminent professors, on natural sciences, may be divided into seven classes; t. astronomers, 2. philosophers, 3. chemists, 4. geognosists,

5. mineralogists, 6. botanists, 7. zoologists. We shall notice under each class a few of those amongst us, whose reputation or real worth entitles them to be known.

Our best astronomers are, or have been, during this century, Dr. Webber, Messrs. Ellicot, Dewitt, Williams, Bowditch, Gannet, Winthrop, Bradley, Lambert, Farrar, &c. &c.

Our philosophers are Messrs. Jefferson, Clinton, Vaughan, Bentley, Winthrop, Patterson, Williamson, Griscom, Wood, Dupont, Woodward, Rafinesque, &c. Drs. Rush, Cutbush, Mitchill, Ramsay, Priestley, &c. &c.

Our chemists, Drs. Macneven, Dexter, Silliman, S. L. and T. Mitchill, Coxe, Cutbush, Seybert, Priestley, Gorham, &c. Messrs. Cooper, Hare, Griscom, &c. &c. Our geognosists, Drs. Mitchill, Drake, Cleaveland, Mease, &c, Messrs. Volney, Rafinesque, Cutbush, Wood, Lewis, Dun-bar, Day, Maclure, Hayden, &c. &c.

Our mineralogists, Drs. S. L. Mitchill, Cleaveland, Bruce, Seybert, &c. Messrs. Steinhover, Gibbs, Bogert, Collins, Conrad, &c.

Our botanists, Messrs. Michaux, father and son, Pursh, Peck, Rafinesque, Collins, Leconte, Elliot, Bartram, Bradbury, Nuttall, Torrey, Robin, Correa, Rich, &c. Drs. Muhlenberg, Benjamin Barton, W. P. C. Barton, Bigelow, Boot, Eddy, Brickell, Waterhouse, father and son, Cutler, &c. &c.

4.

Our zoologists are, or have been the following, during this century, which we divide into general zoologists, such as, Drs. Benj. Barton, S.L.Mitchill, S.Akerly, S. Mott, Waterhouse, Jun. &c. Messrs. Bartram, Rafinesque, Lesueur, Bosc, Leconte, Say, Peale, Ord, &c.; and partial zoologists, who have only studied one branch of the science, such as ornithology, ichthyology, entomology, conchology, or zootomy, which are Messrs. Wilson, (0) Torrey, (e) Melsheimer, (e) Clemens, (z) Bogert, (c) Knevels, (c) Dr. Wistar, (z) &c.

They cannot boast to have made so many discoveries_as their fellow-observers in England, France, Germany, &c. particularly in the former branches; but yet they have somewhat increased the general stock of science, and have materially added to the physical and natural knowledge of our country, and NorthAmerica in general.

Our astronomers and philosophers have observed, with accuracy, the different celestial phenomena visible in our part of the globe, such as comets, eclipses, solar clouds or spots, &c.; longitudes

have been taken or verified, new magnetic properties ascertained, several ingenious theories offered, and scientific principles taught with care.

Our chemists and mineralogists have discovered many substances heretofore not detected in North-America, and even some new substances; they have verified the European discoveries, and in a few instances anticipated them in some measure; mineral waters, metallic substances, and fossil bodies, have been analyzed; some improvements in nomenclature, apparatus and experiments have been introduced, and experimental chemistry has been eagerly taught to all the classes of society.

Our geognosists have been very successful in the study of our atmosphere, waters, and solid earth. Many meteors have been observed and described, such as parelias, aurora-borealis, meteoric stones, unusual lights, shooting stars, globes of fire, &c.; new theories of tides have been proposed, the Atlantick currents have again been examined, the floating islands of ice discovered in their southern course, their influence proved; the theory of our winds completely investigated, and their influence on our climate ascertained; our mountains have been thoroughly explored, their heights measured, and their structure explained; the Missouri has been navigated to its source, five thousand miles from the sea, and many other rivers accurately surveyed; a sort of tide has been detected in our great lakes, and the beds of our ancient lakes have been perceived. The limits of our different soils have been fixed, the ancient state of some districts properly inquired into: many organic remains have been found all over the alluvial and secondary stratas; those of the huge Mastodon or Mammoth were brought to light nearly entire, Elephants, Rhinoceros, Megasaurus, Sharks, (equally bulky,) &c. have been dug from their graves; numberless fossil shells, and. polyps, have been met every where; beds of coal are found from the shores of the Atlantic to the foot of the rocky mountains; many mines and native metals have been discovered; and every part of geonomy relating to the United States more or less illustrated. Yet much remains to be done in order to acquire a complete knowledge of our part of the earth, or even to bring that knowledge to a level with the geognosy of Europe.

Our botanists have succeeded in enumerating nearly five thousand species of plants, (one half of which were new,) with