30 SANTA BARBARA SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



the authenticity of the above mentioned discoveries. An 

 illustration of the much abused Calaveras skull is given on 

 page 40 of de Nadaillac's work. 



The general public may not be aware, or perhaps have for- 

 gotten, that at the time of Professor Whitney's appointment 

 as State Geologist, he was recognized as one of the best geol- 

 ogists of the country, having as early as 1851, as United States 

 Geologist, examined and reported upon the geology of the 

 Lake Superior region, one of the most interesting regions for 

 the geologist, and noted for its immense mineral deposits. He 

 also published, in 1854, ''The Metallic Wealth of the United 

 States, described and compared with that of other countries." 

 These works are still considered as among the best and 

 most reliable on the subjects. He has, for many years, held 

 a position as one of the most eminent professors at Harvard 

 University; consequently he was not a novice nor likely to be 

 easily misled. These statements are due to one, who, though 

 not a resident, has done much for science in this State, and 

 should not suffer from unjust aspersions or misstatements of 

 ignorant or prejudiced persons. 



Santa Barbara, Jan. 27, 1885. 



