Association of American Geologists and Naturalists. 249 
With the exception of Dr. Daubeny, the visit of Mr. Lyell is 
perhaps the first that we have received from a distinguished Eu- 
ropean geologist. Tous, it isan important advantage to compare 
our views with his, and thus to be assured, by visible symbols, 
that we do indeed understand each other’s language. The kind 
and respectful manner in which, in his public lectures, he has 
treated the labors of our geologists—the prominence which he 
has given to their observations, and the gratifying coincidence 
between his views and theirs in relation to our geology, afford us 
satisfactory proof that the geologists of the old and of the new 
world do indeed observe and think alike. 
But, gentlemen, allow me to observe, that American geologists 
have important duties to discharge towards each other—duties of 
justice, honor, fidelity and delicacy. Cultivating a field of vast 
extent and surpassing richness, separated by distance from each 
other, and laboring often alone, we cannot always be early in- 
formed of our respective observations and discoveries. In ac- 
cordance therefore with the best feelings, and with the strictest 
tules of geological courtesy, while we maintain with good temper 
and dignity our own personal claims, it will I trust be our pleas- 
ure to place in prominent relief, the claims of our fellow laborers, 
todo full justice to their observations and discoveries, and to 
find more satisfaction in the advancement of science by our com- 
mon efforts, than in any partial or personal acquisition of fame. 
The harmony and unity of effort which have thus far been happily 
maintained among us, will thus be perpetuated ; and our annual 
meetings, (always, we trust, to be in future honored by the attend- 
ance and codéperation of our -foreign friends, actuated by, and 
received in, the same spirit, ) will then be equally instructive and 
delightful; they will become both focal and radiant points of in- 
tellectual light and moral influence, to the honor of our duiiiadil 
and the common benefit of mankind... 
Gentlemen—pardon me, if in my iisenal zeal. for. our sai 
cause, I have presumed to speak as a Mentor ; or, if in giving 
historical notices of the shooting of American gecivay, as an offset 
from the European stock, I have ventured also to speak of my 
own humble participation in this arduous enterprise. As an origi- 
nal witness, I hope I have not transgressed the proprieties of the 
occasion, while I have frankly and honestly told the > ne 
Vol. xu, No. 2.—July-Sept. 1842. 
