u [Jackson. 



there to be found. This they proposed to make a free contribution to 

 science. A joint essay was published in the 14th and 15th volumes 

 of the American Journal of Science in 1827 and 1828-9. A lar"-e 

 number of extra copies were obtained and gratuitously distributed to 

 scientific men. 



In 1829, Mr. Alger and his friend again visited Nova Scotia, and 

 added many new discoveries to their hst, and prepared a revised and 

 enlarged memoir for the American Academy of Sciences. Extra 

 copies being procured were bound up and again largely distributed. 

 In the second joint excursion a schooner was chartered for the voyage 

 and served as a home along the wild coasts of the Bay of Fundy. 

 Though Mr. Alger was always very sea-sick when on the rough waters 

 of the Bay of Fundy, he bore the affliction with great patience, and 

 when on shore worked with the most enthusiastic zeal in exploring for 

 minerals. It was a great pleasure to witness his joy when a new crys- 

 tal oven in the trap-rocks or brilliantly studded agate ball was broken 

 open, disclosing to view the "flowers of the mineral kingdom." He 

 fairly danced with delight, and thought no labor too severe when such 

 rewards were to be won. 



His part in the memoir above named was fairly borne, the work of 

 writing the descriptions being carefully and equally divided. 



Soon after the publication of this memoir in the Transactions of 

 the American Academy, Mr. Alger was elected a fellow of that scien- 

 tific body, and took an active interest in the- meetings, occasionally 

 communicating some of his scientific observations. 



He was, as already stated, one of the original members of this So- 

 ciety, and has read many valuable communications before it on min- 

 erals and geological specimens. For several years he was our Curator 

 of Mineralogy, but the cares of business at last forced him, most 

 reluctantly, to resign that office. He came to our meetings whenever 

 he was able, and always manifested a deep interest in the prosperity 

 of the Society. 



Having become interested in the iron and zinc mines of Sussex Co., 

 New Jersey, he made that locality, originally opened to the scientific 

 public by the celebrated naturahst Thomas JSTuttall, still more famous 

 for its rare and unique minerals, and spread them broadcast over the 

 mineralogical world. He made excursions very often into the State of 

 New Hampshire, and purchased some of the interesting mines, more 

 for the sake of obtaining specimens of the minerals they produced 

 than from any hope of pecuniary gain. He would never sell any 

 mine without reserving the right to all the fine specimens of crystals 

 that should be got out in mining. Finding that he could not extract 

 and bring home to his cabinet a large beryl of five tons Aveight wliich 

 exists in Grafton Co., New Hampshire, he purchased the hill, had the 



