12 Bl'LLKTIX NO. SO, UNITKD STATES NATIONAL MUSKUM. 



years alter this exploration, lie prepared for publioation, in conjuuction 

 with Professor Hall, an inij)ortant memoir on cretaceous fossils from 

 Nebraska. In IS.j.S, Mr. Meek left Albany and took up his residence iu 

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

 and the place of his scientific woik, except when in the Held, was at the 

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

 l)aitof his scientific work was accom])lished. The association which 

 he formed with Dr. Hayden in ISo.'i was tacitly continued until Mr. 

 Meek's death. When Dr. Hayden comnieiiced 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 paleontology, much of which appeared under their joint 

 names. It was the custom of Mr. Meek to publish preliminary de 

 scriiitioiis of his new species, and afterward elaborate and illustrate 

 the subje(-ts for final publication. Thoroughness, scrui)ulous exactness, 

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

 with such merits his wt)rks will shed luster upon his uame as long 

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

 to systematize and advance the scien(;e to which he devoted his life. 

 His i)ersonal 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 a])parent iu 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, always at the work he loved so well, always help- 

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

 artii(;tion increased until he became entirely deaf several years before 

 he died. Even when <;ut of!" 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 lie was ever brought 

 ill contact will remember him with |)leasiire, while to those who were 

 jiermitted to enjoy scientific intercourse or correspondence with him 

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

 ington, D. C., on the 2Ist of December, 187G, having only a few days 

 liefore comjileted his 51>th year. He had been in ill health for several 

 years past, and indeed almost all his life, for his malady was inherited 

 ph th isiH p ulmona lis. 1 1 had been his custom for several years to si)end the 

 winter in Morida, aii<l the summer months in the Alleghany Mountains. 

 He had made jireparations 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)eacefnl and (juiet death. 



