THE APRIL MEETING, 1844. 447 



by Major Turnbull, of the Topographical Corps, exhibits new contrivanceg, in 

 overcoming obstacles never heretofore encountered in similar projects, and has been 

 pronounced in Europe one of the most skilful works of the age. 



The abstract mathematics does not seem so well suited to the genius of our coun- 

 trymen as its application to other sciences. Those among us who have most suc- 

 cessfully pursued the pure mathematics, are chiefly our much esteenned adopted 

 citizens, such as Nulty, Adrain, Bonnycastle, Gill, and Hassler. Bowditch was an 

 American, and is higlily distinguished at home and abroad. Such men as flana 

 and Babbage rank him among the first class, and his commentary on the Mechan- 

 ique Celeste, of Laplace, has secured him a niche in the temple of fame, near to that 

 of its illustrious author. Anderson and Strong are known to all who love mathe- 

 matics, and Fischer was cut off by death in the commoncoment of a bright career. 

 And may I here be indulged in grateful remembrance of two of my own precep- 

 tors. Dr. R. M. Patterson and Eugene Nulty. The first was the Professor at my 

 Alma Mater (the University of Pennsylvania) in natural philosophy and tho 

 application of mathematics to many branches of science. He was beloved and 

 respected by all the class, as the courteous gentleman and the profound scholar ; 

 and the mint of the United States, now under his dirnction, at Pliiladelphia, has 

 reached the highest point of system, skill, and efBciency . In the pure mathema- 

 tics, Nulty is unsurpassed at home or abroad. In an earliar day, the elder Patter, 

 son, Ellicot, and Mansfield, cultivated this branch successfully in connection with 

 astronomy . 



A new and extensive country is tho great field for descriptive natural history. 

 The beasts, birds, fishes, reptiles, insects, shells, plants, stones, and rocks, are to 

 be examined individually and classed ; many new varieties and species are found, 

 and even new genera may occur. The learned Mitchell, of New York, delighted 

 in these branches. The eminent Harlan, of Philadelphia, and McMurtrie, were of 

 a later and more philosophic school. Nuttall, of Cambridge, has distinguished 

 himself in natural liistorj', and Haldeman is rising to eminence. 



Ornithology is one of the most attractive branches of natural history. Wilson 

 was the pioneer; Ord, his biographer followed, and his friend Titian Peale; Audubon 

 is universally known, and stands preeminent ; and the learned Nuttall, and excel- 

 lent and enthusiastic Townsend are much respected. Most of these men have 

 compassed sea and land, and encountered many perils and hardships to find their 

 pppcimens. They have e.tplorod the mountains of the North, the swamps of 

 Florida, the prairies of the West, and accompanied tho Exploring Expedi- 

 tion lo the Antarctic, and round the world. As botanists, tho Bartrams, Barton, 

 and Collins, of Philadelphia, Torrey, of New York, Gray and Nuttall, of Cam- 

 bridge, Darlington, of Westchester, are much esteemed. The first botanical garden 

 in our country was that of the Bartons, near Philadelphia ; and the first work on 

 botany was from Barton, of tho same city. Logan, Woodward, Brailsford, Shelby, 

 Cooper, Ilorsefield, Colden, Clayton, Muhlcnburg, Marshal, Cutler, and Hosack, 

 were also distinguished in this delightful branch. 



A study of the shells of our country has raised to eminence the names of Barnes, 

 Conrad, Loa, and Raffinesqun. Tho magnificent fresh water shells of our western 

 rivers arc unrivalled in the old world, in size and beauty. How interesting would 

 be a collection of all tho specimens which the organic kingdom of America pre- 

 sents, properly classifiifd, and arranged according to tho regions and States whenco 

 they wore brouglit. Paris has tho museum of the natural history of Franco, and 



