Miscellaneous Intelligence. 149 



In 1843, Ducatel accompanied his friend Nicollet in an expedition to 

 explore the geology of the Upper Mississippi, and clear up some im- 

 portant points in the theory of volcanic action supposed to have occur- 

 red in that region. The premature death of that distinguished man of 

 science prevented the full effect of the cooperation which was designed. 



In 1846, he visited the Lake Superior region upon a reconnoissance 

 in behalf of some parties who were proposing industrial developments 

 there: but its only fruit was an interesting series of lectures which he 

 delivered after his return in the winter of that year. 



These journies were in so far disastrous in that an accident (he nar- 

 rowly escaped death on the spot) occurring to him during the first, and 

 a severe illness brought upon an enfeebled frame by exposure during 

 the last, laid the foundation of the physical disorders from which he 

 never afterwards recovered. For some years, his maladies appear to 

 have affected, except at some brief intervals, his capacity for applica- 

 tion and exertion ; and to have superinduced an unnatural apathy and 

 premature old age. He died of congestion on the lungs; and was in- 

 terred, as he had always desired, privately in the presence of his family 

 and of a few intimate friends. 



As an author, Professor Ducatel hut rarely appeared before the world. 

 His principal work, a Manual of Toxicology, was well received and 

 would have been more widely and beneficially known but for a fire 

 which almost cotemporaneous with its publication destroyed all the 

 copies on hand. He laughingly said it was an ill omen and he feared a 

 worse disasier with another edition. His editorial connection with the 

 Baltimore Times has been already mentioned. At a later period, he 

 contributed regularly for some time the scientific articles for the Amer- 

 ican Farmer and for another journal of wide circulation, the Sporting 

 Magazine. 



Enough has been said to shew the character of Ducatel as a scien- 

 tific man. If his associations are referred to, it is only to shew how he 

 had been appreciated. Always the foremost in every social enterprise 

 where learning and savoir faire were required in his native city, the 

 American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, the Royal Geological 

 Society of Paris, the Georgofili of Florence, and others numbered him 

 among their members. 



In another aspect, his temperament rendered him singularly useful 

 in science. No one was more liberal in imparting either what he knew 

 or what he had ; the facts he had observed and the specimens he had 

 collected were always accessible and frequently gifts to those he thought 

 would use them well. Those who have themselves commenced the 

 Pursuits of science under difficulties will best appreciate and honor such 

 a trait. 



His traits as a man were of the same generous and winning charac- 



ter. They will not be dwelt on here; not from fear lest friendly par- 

 tjalny might transcend the severe limits of biographical justice, but that 

 they do not comport with the aim of this notice. The silence of those 

 *ho knew and loved him is more eloquent than lines of beauty or pages 

 °f tenderness. A. 



