BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF ISAAC LEA, LL. D LI 



[Extract from Monsieur Boivin's letter.] 



Paris, 185t). 



I have received with njreat admiration your magnificent work of tlie imprinta of 

 the feet of your Saiirojjus primcevus. It is interesting from two difterent points of view, 

 viz, the siibject as well as the execution. The lithographic plate is truly a chef- 

 (Vamrre, and the paper is of an admirable fabrication. Young America can compete 

 with advantage with old Europe. 

 Your devoted, &c., 



A. BOIVIN. 



Vienna, December 4, 1857. 



* * * "We just received a new expedition of the Smithsonian, and along with it 

 I was particularly favored by the kind gift I owe to yourself, that standard classi- 

 cal work on the genus Unio and other fresh-water molluscs, for which science is in- 

 debted to your unremitting zeal and studies for so many years in that department of 

 natural history. 



I return you, therefore, my most sincere thanks for myself as well, who was distin- 

 guished even by a colored copy, as also for our Geological Institute. 



Also your past letter came to hand as well as other valuable works of lesser com- 

 pass, and I hope by this time you have received my letters of thanks and acknowl- 

 edgment through the last expedition of oiu's to the Smithsonian Institution, with 

 the letters date of 19th of August, 1857. It is true, for letters this couvej^ance i» 

 .somewhat slower, but for all, it is invaluable for that steady mutual intercourse for 

 scientific purposes in which the Smithsonian, and in fact the United States, stand 

 unrivaled; and the most friendly intercourse is certainly above all preferred by 

 scientific investigators. We admire with great good heart all that is achieved on thft 

 other side of the Atlantic, and that has pushed forward our knowledge most materi- 

 ally. We often talk over j-our visit in Vienna. Unfortunately I had to keep my houso 

 for being unwell. Poor Heckel has since left us forever, a very great loss for his friends 

 as well as for science. Our frieuds, Von Haur, Homess, Swess, beg to be remembered. 

 Poor Partsch having died last year, he was succeeded in the direction of the Imperial 

 Mineralogical Museum by our so highly deserved friend, Dr. Hiirness. 



Mr. Swess (who is married,' by the bye, to a sister of Dr. Horness and niece of Mr. 

 Pnrtsch) is now delivering a course of lectures on paleontology in our university. 



As to our Geological Institute, we are getting on, it is true, but rather too slowly, 

 if I compare what is really done with what I might wish to pee. We are working 

 with too many "difficulties" as I might call them, not a few of them owing to a want 

 of that most characteristic saj'ing of yours, ' ' going ahead ; " for myself, I begin feeling 

 rather tired, particularly as I was far from well all last summer and autumn. 



We just received also for the Geological Institute those wonderful " Kane's Arctic 

 Explorations," in the second Grinnell Expedition. It will be a standard work forever 

 for raising men's minds to the most arduous tasks of duty, and to confidence in that 

 Almighty Power which saved this heroic endurer and his men. 



What loss for humanity in his premature death ! 

 Yours, truly and devotedly, 



WILLIAM HAIDINGER. 



Oxford, July 16, 184fr. 

 My Dear Sir : I am much gratified by your very interesting letter inclosing ii 

 brief summary of your discovery of foot-marks in Old Red Sandstone, and shall have 

 great pleasure in laying this notice before the next meeting of geologists in England, 

 which, as the London sessions are now closed until November, will be at the Birmiug- 

 ham meeting of the British Association in the middle of Sei)tember, when Professor 

 Rogers will be present. This will give the most rapid and most general announce- 

 ment of your discovery which is now possible. There is time for you to inform me if 

 you approve of this proposal, and if you do it would add much to the interest of your 



