(seq. 2)

5 —Shells. These beautiful objects are found in every sea, and more sparingly diffused over every land. The
best specimens are those which are taken with their inhabitants alive. The animal can easily be extracted with a
fork after having been dipt for about a minute in boiling water. The highly polished and the thorny species should
be wrapt up in tow or cotton. In collecting the bivalved shells, such as oysters, clams, &c. it is always desireable
that both valves or shells should be preserved, and they are always preferred when united.

6 —Zoophytes and Lythophytes. These comprehend the various marine productions commonly known under the
name of Corals, Madrepores, Sea Fans, Sea Feathers, &c. They abound in many parts of the ocean, particularly on
the coral reefs in tropical regions. The different species or varieties form beautiful specimens for a Museum, and
can easily be collected and preserved.

7 —Seeds and Plants Seeds, and even dried specimens of plants will always be acceptable, particularly of those
plants which are useful in the Arts, for Medicine, or Food. These abound in every country and can always be ob-
tained. They afford individuals an easy means of rendering important services to their country, and sometimes of
diffusing unexpected and incalculable advantages.

8.—Minerals Specimens of Earths, Ores and Rocks are always interesting. They should be carefully wrapped
up in paper or cotton, and the place whence they were taken accurately noted down. Where a specimen contains
crystals, care should be taken to preserve the edges and points of the crystals unbroken. As almost every country
contains some minerals peculiar to itself, these are always rare and valuable in other countries, and can generally be
procured without difficulty.

9.— Fossil Shells, Bones, &c. These are very generally diffused over the surface of the globe, and in some coun-
tries are very abundant. In obtaining specimens of these it is desireable to know not only the particular spot where
they were discovered, but the nature of the rock in which they were imbedded, whether flint, slate, sand-stone,
lime-stone, gypsum, &c. The elevation also of the strata above the level of the ocean ought to be noted, and the ap-
pearance of the surrounding country, whether mountainous, hilly, or level.

10 — Works of Art. These are too numerous and too diversified to be enumerated or classed. Whatever may
serve to illustrate the ancient or present state of the arts; or to explain the history, geography, or mythology of na-
tions; whatever may assist in exploring the antiquities of our country; every thing in short which has relation
to nature or man, in their present or past condition, will be highly acceptable.

In presenting to your view so extensive a field for exertion, it is not with the design of making too heavy a claim
on your time or attention, but rather to show in how many different modes and how easily you can render us assistance.
It was a practice with some illiterate nations to rear their monumental piles by causing all those who held the memo-
ry of a deceased person in veneration to cast one stone upon his grave. We should ask no greater favor for this esta-
blishment, than that every individual, even in this State, who professes a respect and veneration for Science and Lite-
rature, should pay the tribute of one offering in testimony of his respect. Our institution is intended solely for public
usefulness, it has not personal objects, no individual advantages to gratify, and it must merit, if it does not receive the
patronage of our country. Let us entreat that your exertions may he used in its behalf, and that it may remain a
monument, not of disappointed hopes, but of the zeal with which every institution calculated to promote Literature
and Science, is cherished and fostered by a free people.