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 SIR K. 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 



