232 Address before the Association of American Geologists. 
Arr. Ir. 7 seinen Address arma the Association ” 
* American Geologists, at their second annual meeting in Phi- 
ladelphia, April 5, 1841; by Epwarp Selesceetinnt LL. D., 
» Prof. Chem. ued Nat. Hist. Amherst College. 
GENTLEMEN OF THE pre :—It may be sepaiah on this 
occasion, that I should give some account of the origin and pro- 
gress of this society. The history is short. -A number of geol- 
ogists had for years been employed in prosecuting geological 
surveys in many widely separated states of the Union, and as 
they were bringing their labors towards a close, they felt a strong 
desire to compare notes with one another, that they might clear 
up points obscure in the districts which they had examined, but 
which might perhaps be fully developed in others, and that more 
uniformity might be secured in the final results. The gentlemen 
of the New York survey at length issued a circular, inviting 
those engaged in similar surveys in the other states, to a meeting 
in this city a year ago. The number that responded to the invi- 
tation by their attendance, was not large. But I am sure thatl 
shall speak the unanimous opinion of all present, when [say that 
the meeting was most pleasant and profitable. It was’ highly 
gratifying for those, who had long been engaged in the same 
work in widely separated fields, and who knew one another only 
by reputation, to be able to exchange salutations, and hear one 
another’s voices, and share one another’s sympathies. Particu- 
larly important was it for those of us who are very much i 
ted from geological society and counsel, to meet those who could 
solve our difficulties, and by detailing the phenomena of their own 
districts, could throw light upon obscurities that hung over our 
own 
Uitier these circumstances, it is not strange that the present 
meeting should have been appointed ; nor that we should have 
ventured to invite others to join us, who are engaged in similar 
-oming a not in the state ve i and some - whom 
