12 BULLETIN' NO. 30, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



years after this exploration, he prepared for pnbhcation. in conjunction 

 with Professor Hall, an important memoir on cretaceous fossils from 

 Nebraska. In 1858, Mr. Meek left Albany and took up his residence in 

 Washington, where he continued to live until his death. His home, 

 and the place of his scientific work, except when in the field, was at the 

 Smithsonian Institution, and it was within its walls that the greatest 

 ])aitof his scientific work was acconiplishe<l. The association which 

 he formed with Dr. Hayden in 185.? was tacitly continued until Mr. 

 Meek's death. AV'hen Dr. Hayden commenced his explorations in the 

 Western Territories, and afterwards organized the Geological Survey 

 of The Kocky Mountain region, Mr. Meek was entrusted with all the 

 invertebrate i)aleoiit(>logy, much of which appeared under their joint 

 names. It was the custom of Mr. Meek to publish i)reliminary de 

 scriptioiis of his new species, and afterward elaborate and illustrate 

 the subje(-ts tor final publication. Thoroughness, scrupulous exactness, 

 and nice powers of discrimination are manifested in all his labors ; and 

 with such merits his works will shed luster upon his name as long 

 as paleeutology is studied. No one in America has done more than he 

 to systematize and advance the science to which he devoted his life. 

 His personal character cannot be too highly eulogized, for it was with- 

 out a blemish. He was a genial, sincere, pure-minded, honorable man. 

 Gentleness and candor were apparent in every expression of his face, 

 and in every word he uttered; but he was self-reliant and ready at all 

 times to defend what he believed to be right, and with his keen sense 

 of justice, he was seldom mistaken as to what was right. He was never 

 in vigorous health and often ill; but never complaining, always hope- 

 ful, always cheerful, alwavs at the work he loved so well, always help- 

 ful of others. His hearing began to fail in early manhood, and the 

 affliction increased until he became entirely deaf several years before 

 he died. Even when cut oft' from conversation with his fellow-men his 

 cheerfulness did not forsake him ; but he seemed to derive great pleasure 

 from written communication with his friends. He was never married, 

 and leaves no near relatives ; but all with whom he was ever brought 

 in (rontact will remember him with pleasure, while to those who were 

 l)ermitted to enjoy scientific intercourse or correspondence with him 

 during his life, his memory will be especially dear. He died at Wash- 

 iugton, D. C, on the 21st of December, 187G, having only a few days 

 before completed his 59tli year. He had been in ill health for several 

 years ])ast, and indeed almost all his life, for his malady was inherited 

 l}litlt isis puhnouniis. It had been his custom for several years to spend the 

 winter in Moiida, and the summer months in the AUeghanj' Mountains. 

 He had made i)re))arations to leave Washington for Florida early in 

 December, but was taken with hemorrhage of the lungs on the day be- 

 fore the one set for his departure. He never rallied from this attack, 

 but gradually sank to a i)eaceful and quiet death. 



