Miscellaneous. 319 



his mind was active, and as late as our last number (March,) we 

 published a contribution to science from him, as the result of his 

 recent microscopic researches. Feebleness of health prevented 

 his being present at the meeting of the American Association at 

 Albany in July 1856 ; but the Association in view of his high 

 attainments and valuable researches elected him President for the 

 following year, — an honor well merited ; for feAV men in the land 

 have exerted a Avider and more beneficial influence on the science 

 of the country. 



Prof. Bailey, although a proficient also in chemistry, mineTal. 

 ogy, and botany, had been especially devoted to microscopic 

 research, and with the exception of what Ehrenberg has done, the 

 microscopic geology or " micro-geology " of this country has been 

 mainly worked out by him. His first communication to this 

 Journal, was published in 1837, and although chemical, it 

 indicated that delicacy of manipulation which fitted him for 

 microscopic researches. It related to the use of grasshoppers' 

 legs as a substitute for frogs in galvanic experiments. In volume 

 XXXV. (1839,) commence his papers on fossil Infusoria, which were 

 continued through many of the following volumes, down to the 

 current year, and are too well known and appreciated to require 

 remark at this time. The Continent along its Atlantic and 

 Pacific borders and over its interior bas passed under his micros- 

 cope, and delighted him with many beautiful forms of life which 

 had never before greeted a human eye. And lately, the ocean's 

 bottom in the Atlantic to a depth of 1200 feet, and about the 

 North Pacific to 16000 feet, has devleoped wonderful facts before 

 his investigations. Prof. Bailey has also done a vast deal towards 

 raising the standard of microscope manufacture through his discri- 

 minating use of tests, and his influence. His scale for microscopic 

 slides by which the positions of the invisible specimens are exactly 

 noted, is a happy thought well carried out. In these and various 

 other waj^s, microscopy is vastly indebted to his labors. Mr- 

 Bailey at his death was Professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy and 

 Geology in the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. His life 

 without reproach, his gentleness and modesty, his earnestness for 

 truth rather than self, his untiring energy even when his physical 

 system seemed to be dissolving away from his spirit, make a 

 character tbat excites love as well as admiration. 



