232 Address before the Association of American Geologists. 



Art. II. — First Anniversary Address before the Association of 

 American Geologists^ at their second annual meeting in Phi- 

 ladelphia, April 5, 1841 ; by Edward Hitchcock, LL. D., 

 Prof. Chem. and Nat. Hist. Amherst College. 



Gentlemen of the Association : — It may be expected on this 

 occasion, that I should give some account of the origin and pro- 

 gress of this society. The history is short. A number of geol- 

 ogists had for years been employed in prosecuting geological 

 surveys in many widely separated states of the Union, and as 

 they were bringing their labors towards a close, they felt a strong 

 desire to compare notes with one another, that they might clear 

 up points obscure in the districts which they had examined, but 

 which might perhaps be fully developed in others, and that more 

 uniformity might be secured in the final results. The gentlemen 

 of the New York survey at length issued a circular, inviting 

 those engaged in similar surveys in the other states, to a meeting 

 in this city a year ago. The number that responded to the invi- 

 tation by their attendance, was not large. But I am sure that I 

 shall speak the unanimous opinion of all present, when I say that 

 the meeting was most pleasant and profitable. It was highly 

 gratifying for those, who had long been engaged in the same 

 work in widely separated fields, and who knew one another only 

 by reputation, to be able to exchange salutations, and hear one 

 another's voices, and share one another's sympathies. Particu- 

 larly important was it for those of us who are very much insula- 

 ted from geological society and counsel, to meet those who could 

 solve our difficulties, and by detailing the phenomena of their own 

 districts, could throw light upon obscurities that hung over our 

 own. 



Under these circumstances, it is not strange that the present 

 meeting should have been appointed ; nor that we should have 

 ventured to invite others to join us, who are engaged in similar 

 pursuits, although not in the state surveys ; and some of whom 

 are our seniors in cultivating the noble science of geology. 



As to the ulterior plans of this Association, I am not aware 

 that any have been concerted, whatever may be in the minds of 

 individual members. It will be seen that their grand object is to 

 develope American geology in a quiet and unostentatious man- 



