324 DAVEXPOKT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 



From Dk. Chaules Barkoij^, President Geological Society, Lille, France. 

 ITranilatwii.] 



Lille, France, 9 January, 1882. 

 Mr. C. E. Putnam: 



My Dear Sir : I learn from a journal of the sad event which has plunged 

 your whole family in sorrow. The death of a man of such promise as 

 Joseph Duncan Putnam, is one of those misfortunes which extends beyond 

 the domestic fireside. The loss which afflicts you will be much felt by all 

 those who like myself have been al)le to know and value his knowledge and 

 his character. 



May the unanimous regrets of all those who knew him, somewliat con- 

 sole you in j-our trial. That short life, so well filled, will be an example to 

 his young brothers, who have already received from their mother so admira 

 ble an education. 



Accept, dear sir, for yourself and for your family, my most sympathetic 

 compliments and condolences. 



CHAS. BARROIS. 



From Dr. C. C. Pakry, Collou, California. 



CoLTON, California. December 24th, 1881. 

 Messrs. C. H. Preston. E. P. Lynch, H. C. Fulton, 



Committee Davenport Academy of Sciences : 



Gentlemen: Tlie reciuest conveyed through you from the Davenport 

 Academy of Sciences, that I should "prepare and present a paper" at the 

 special meeting to be held January 6th. 1882, in memory of our late lamented 

 President, J. Duncan Putnam, coincides with my own earnest wishes, and 

 enlists at once my most devoted efforts. But to do justice to xurli n rkdrar- 

 ter, to portray as it should be done, the life and labors of !<iir/i n ninii, an inti- 

 mate friend, and a faithful fellow-worker in the cause of science, requires 

 more careful consideration, and access to written records that are not now 

 within my reach. I would therefoVe respectfully ask to be granted a longer 

 time, and opportunity for the performance of this duty you have thought fit 

 to impose ui)on me. Leaving this matter to your farther discretion, allow 

 me at this time to join my sorrowing lamentations with yours, over the un- 

 timely gi'ave of our lionored F*re8ident, associate and friend. 



Verv respectfullv. vours. 



C. C. PAKKV. 



