LIFE OF JAMES DWIGHT DANA 



the author had pursued, and the other is a confidential 

 revelation of the continued embarrassments of the author. 

 The following letters reveal the situation : 



DANA TO HON. BENJAMIN TAPPAN 



11 NEW HAVEN, November 4, 1844. 



" I should long ago have reported to you the condition 

 of my Report on Corals, had it been so far advanced 

 that I could have given any definite estimate of the time 

 required to finish it. The summer has been laboriously 

 spent, and finally I have made out to give my descrip- 

 tions a scientific form and Latin dress, finishing them 

 with full references to authorities, and comparisons with 

 all known species. Much study has been required to 

 clear up the many doubts and obscurities with regard to 

 the received species, the same name having often been 

 applied to several distinct corals, and different names in 

 some instances to those that were identical. I have en- 

 deavored to make the report thorough and complete in 

 every part, and I cannot but hope that it may meet the 

 expectations of the scientific men of our country. 



' With the exception of the references to the drawings, 

 which cannot be added till the engravings are finished, 

 the report will be ready by the opening of Congress, and 

 printing might commence in the course of the winter, if 

 the plates were completed. The number of new species 

 among the large corals, that is, exclusive of those of the 

 Sertularia and Eschara families, will be about 180." 



BENJAMIN TAPPAN TO DANA 



"WASHINGTON CITY, i4th December, 1844. 



[< I think you need not meddle with the actinias, but 

 confine yourself to the corals, geology, and Crustacea. 

 Mr. Drayton, with some assistance here, will prepare the 

 actinias. ' ' 



DANA TO TAPPAN 



" NEW HAVEN, December 17, 1844. 



" I had the honor of receiving your communication of 

 the I4th instant this morning. The conclusion that I omit 

 the actinias has relieved my mind of much anxiety. Al- 



146 



