In 1837 a commission established by the State of Massachusetts to conduct a botanical and zoological survey was instructed by Governor Everett in the following terms:—

“ It is presumed to have been a leading object of the Legislature, in authorizing this survey, to promote the agricultural benefit of the Commonwealth, and you will keep carefully in view the economical relations of every subject of your inquiry. By this, however, it is not intended that scientific order, method or comprehension should be departed from. At the same time that which is practically useful will receive a proportionately greater share of attention than that which is merely curious; the promotion of comfort and happiness being the great human end of all science.”