168 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



such a project after our geological anniversary dinner, at 

 which I took the chair as President. A little memoir (an 

 abstract of a very long memoir which I read recently be 

 fore the Geological Society) will explain to you (and I have 

 desired copies to be sent to you) to what a great extent I 

 am embarked in Russian geology, and how, being "in 

 medias res," I am naturally led to try to complete a correct 

 outline sketch of a geological map of Russia in Europe. 

 To your magnificent region, I look with intense interest, 

 and I live in the hope of being able to explore its palae 

 ozoic rocks. Already, however, your able countrymen are 

 preparing all the elements for the complete classification of 

 these olden deposits of America. 



I have for some time been much gratified to observe the 

 steps which Conrad, Hall, &c., have been laying ; and very 

 recently, I was delighted to receive from the last-men 

 tioned geologist, a suit of specimens which leave no doubt 

 of the descending succession of the old red sandstone or De 

 vonian rocks into true Silurian types From what I 



see, I should be disposed to think that North America may 

 offer the fullest and most perfect sequence of palaeozoic 

 strata in the world. It is right, therefore, that I should see 

 your grand development last. " Vedi Napoli e foi morir." 



FROM SIB R. I. MURCHISON. 



BELGRAVE SQUARE, May 27, 1850. 



MY DEAR SIR, Our mutual friend, Dr. Mantell, has 

 reminded me that I have been guilty of what I very much 

 regret. I have omitted, it appears, to thank you for the 

 admirable work of your son-in-law, Mr. Dana, on corals ; a 

 work concerning the excellence of which no naturalist en 

 tertains a doubt, and of which our friend Lonsdale, who is 

 our best judge, has the very highest opinion. I am really 

 quite shocked that I should thus appear to be unmindful of 

 what I really consider a great boon, and which I have en 

 deavored to utilize among my naturalist friends as far as 



