14 The Smithsonian Institution 



combating (with what was then originality) the theories of 

 the time, which referred the bones there found to " The 

 Deluge." 



" The most notable feature of Smithson's writings, from the 

 standpoint of the modern analytical chemist," says Professor 

 Clarke, 1 " is the success obtained with the most primitive and 

 unsatisfactory appliances. In Smithson's day, chemical ap- 

 paratus was undeveloped, and instruments were improvised 

 from such materials as lay readiest to hand. With such 

 instruments, and with crude reagents, Smithson obtained 

 analytical results of the most creditable character, and en- 

 larged our knowledge of many mineral species. In his time 

 the native carbonate and silicate of zinc were confounded as 

 one species under the name ' calamine ' ; but his researches 

 distinguish between the two minerals, which are now known 

 as Smithsonite and calamine respectively. 



"To theory Smithson contributed little, if anything; but 

 from a theoretical point of view the tone of his writings is sin- 

 gularly modern. His work was mostly done before Dal ton 

 had announced the atomic theory, and yet Smithson saw 

 clearly that a law of definite proportions must exist, although 

 he did not attempt to account for it. His ability as a rea- 

 soner is best shown in his paper upon the Kirkdale bone 

 cave, which Penn had sought to interpret by reference to the 

 Noachian deluge. A clearer and more complete demolition 

 of Penn's views could hardly be written to-day. Smithson 

 was gentle with his adversary, but none the less thorough for 

 all his moderation. He is not to be classed among the lead- 

 ers of scientific thought ; but his ability, and the usefulness of 

 his contributions to knowledge, cannot be doubted." 



The President of the Royal Society, in a necrology for the 

 year 1829, associated the name of Smithson with those of 



1 Communication from Professor Frank W. Clarke, Chief Chemist, United States 



Geological Survey. 



