16 Kansas Academy of science. 



is dead. He was a sincere devotee and an intelligent interpreter of nature, and better still, an honest 

 man. Peace to lii^ ashes. — c. a. w." 



These words, expressing the appreciation of the man by the scientific world by one 

 capable of understanding him, are in striking contrast with the estimation of another set 

 of persons, who did him a gross, stupid injustice at the Agricultural College. A peculiar 

 interest attaches to the shells mentioned above. They were among the latest collections 

 of Prof. Mudge, while yet Professor of Geology at the Agricultural College; but after he 

 left they were thrown out with other rubbish, "old bones and old stones," as the College 

 President termed them. Not long before Prof. Mudge's death, he, in company with a 

 friend, revisited for the first time the old College grounds, and looking over a heap of 

 debris, his quick eye at once recognized the familiar specimens, and though some years 

 had elapsed, he remembered the locality in Saline county where he had obtained them. 

 Considering tliem new to science, he recovered and sent them to Dr. White, of the Na- 

 tional Museum, who described and named them. Of the one mentioned in honor of Prof. 

 Mudge — G. Mudgeana — he says: "It presents one more, among other now known sim- 

 ilar cases, of evident genetic relationship between the Molluscan Fauna of the Dakota 

 Group, and that of the later cretaceous groups of the West, which were formerly unknown, 

 but which the discoveries of Prof. Mudge have done more than that of all others to 

 show." How grateful to our ears is this tribute to our dear friend from one so high in 

 science, and how satisfactory to have his own opinion corroborate our own. 



During 1880 and '81 a committee appointed by the Academy secured sufficient funds 

 by popular subscriptions to erect a monument over Prof. Mudge's grave at Manhattan, 

 which was appropriately dedicated after the meeting in 1881. It was a pleasant duty to 

 thus honor the last resting-place of our beloved friend. 



" He was a man, take him all in all, 

 We shall not look upon his like again." 



Of the last four years there is little to be said of the Academy that is not fresh in your 

 memory. The meetings have been held each year in Topeka, and have been full of in- 

 terest; valuable papers have been read and popular lectures have been sustained as 

 usual. The principal matter of interest has been the constant effort put forth to secure 

 the passage <>f a bill for a geological survey, of which the State stands so much in need. 

 Lasl winter a special endeavor was made, but success has not yet crowned our efforts. 

 The Academy now stands well, and is known throughout the entire scientific world. 

 The publications are sought after by the scientific men and institutions of this country 

 and of Europe, and the most of them are on the exchange list. 



This prominence and honor is due to the reputation of the earnest workers we have 

 in our ranks, who are doing good work in studying and classifying the products of nature 

 in the various departments, and also to the fact that we occupy a most important field 

 geographically. This is a responsibility which we recognize, and we endeavor by all 

 means in our power t<> discharge our duty in the matter, to science and to the people of 

 the State. Most fortunately the men have risen to do the work, and have cultivated 

 the field witli honor to themselves and to the Academy. 



In the furtherance of our work one thing remains for us to accomplish before our 

 honor and dignity shall be complete, and that is the geological and scientific survey of 

 the State. Thai is one main object of our existence, and toward its accomplishment we 

 must labor continuously until success shall crown our efforts, as it is certain to do. We 

 must agitate the subject in season and out of season, until we obtain final victory. It 

 is a duty we owe to ourselves, to the State, and to science. 



