Association of American Geologists and Naturalists. 139 



to make science and letters what they are yet far from fully being, a 

 true republic, all were the results of the same necessities, the same in- 

 tellectual and social wants, and the same high aspirations, which drew 

 the geologists of America, a small but an enthusiastic band, together. 



It is proper that before entering upon topics of purely scientific in- 

 terest, we pause to pay a tribute to the memory of our esteemed and 

 lamented associates, Prof Hall and Mr. Nicollet, both of whom at the 

 inexorable mandate of death, have lately left this scene of their scien- 

 entific usefulness. 



Prof Frederick Hall possessed great ardor in the pursuit of knowl- 

 edge, and was one of the earliest cultivators in this country of geology 

 and mineralogy. He was educated at Dartmouth College, became pro- 

 fessor of natural philosophy and chemistry in Middlebury College, and 

 afterwards president of Mount Hope College in Maryland, and at the 

 time of his death (which took place at Peoria, III.) was professor of 

 chemistry in the medical department of Columbia College, Washington. 

 Of a generous and enthusiastic nature, he manifested the sincerity of 

 his zeal for science and the cause of education, by the very handsome 

 contribution in money and a rich cabinet, which he made a few years 

 ago in aid of the establishment of a new professorship in the respected 

 institution from which he imbibed his strong love for learning. Though 

 not a practical geologist, he was a successful teacher of the science, 

 evinced a lively interest in its advancement, and earnestly encouraged 

 this our present effort to promote its progress in our country. 



Mr. Nicollet was born in Savoy between Geneva and Mont Blanc. 

 Repairing to Paris about the age of twenty, he applied himself Nvith great 

 enthusiasm to improve, through the resources of that capital, the defects 

 of his early education, and gifted with a fine mathematical ability, and 

 enjoying the lessons and friendship of Laplace, he soon rose to distinc- 

 tion as a mathematician and astronomer. In his assiduous devotion to 

 his favorite branches, he became the author of several works of merit, 

 and of many papers and memoirs which procured him a well deserved 

 reputation in the scientific world. He was a member of Bureau des 

 Longitudes, and one of the principal examiners in the French navy. 



About ten years ago, Mr. Nicollet came to the United States, and im- 

 pressed with the abundance of the scientific harvest which he saw spread 

 out before him, he entered forthwith upon the rich field of his subse- 

 quent labors. With extraordinary ardor, he applied himself to the study 

 of the physical geography of the great valley of the Mississippi. By a 

 widely planned series of astronomical and barometrical observations, 



