LIFE OF JAMES DWIGHT DANA 



distinctions of one of their earliest associate members, 

 and the discourse that was then delivered by Professor 

 H. S. Williams was soon given to the press. Before the 

 Geological Society of America, Professor Joseph Le 

 Conte, of the University of California, presented an ad- 

 mirable analysis of Dana's intellectual qualities, and of 

 his diverse contributions to knowledge. Few men are so 

 competent as this gifted writer, a geologist and zoologist, 

 to weigh and estimate the merits and services of his older 

 friend, and from his memoir copious extracts have been 

 made in the pages of this biography.* At a meeting of 

 the Academy of Sciences in Paris, on the 6th of May, M. 

 Blanchard, who had reviewed the geological works of 

 Dana at the time of his election as a correspondent of 

 the Academy, again called attention to the Exploration 

 Reports ; and M. Daubre, in a fresher and more extended 

 notice, reviewed the contributions of his American col- 

 league to the sciences of mineralogy and geology. 



The corps of the United States Geological Survey ad- 

 dressed to Mrs. Dana the following note : 



"WASHINGTON, D. C., April 23, 1895. 



" DEAR MADAM : 



' We desire to convey to you the expression of our 

 deepest sympathy in the bereavement which you suffer at 

 the death of your distinguished husband, Professor Dana. 



" As his pupils, colleagues, and friends, we share in 

 your sorrow, realizing that a leader of lifelong experience 

 and tried ability has been taken from us. 



" His prolonged and comprehensive labors in behalf of 

 science, his long service as a teacher, and the influence 

 of his published works place him in the foremost rank of 

 geologists of the world. There is no geologist better 

 known ; there is none other to whom so many owe the 

 inspiration and guidance which lead to success. But 

 though scientists the world over mourn his loss, they re- 

 joice, as we feel sure he did, in the completion of his 



* See the preceding chapter. 

 268 



