TRIBUTE. 



The sad intelligence of the death of our esteemed friend and associate, Professor M. 

 Tuomey, reached Charleston while the present volume was yet unfinished. 



Only a few months had elapsed since he had parted from us in the full enjoyment of 

 his usual vigorous health, and animated hy the highest anticipations of the future; and he 

 had just reached the field of his labors, when he was suddenly removed, by death, from 

 that sphere of usefulness and distinction. He died at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on the 30th 

 of March, 1857. • 



At the time of his death he was Professor of Geology and Agricultural Chemistry in 

 the University of Alabama, and Geological Surveyor of the State. 



Our intimacy commenced in the year 1844. Soon after he entered upon his duties as 

 Geologist of the State of South-Carolina, an office to which he had been recently appointed 

 by Governor Hammond. The congeniality of our pursuits induced a friendship that 

 continued not only without interruption, but with increasing warmth, until the day of 

 his death. 



Professor Tuomey was of Irish parentage, and was born in the city of Cork, in Sep- 

 tember, 1805. Little is known to us of his early life and studies, except that he early 

 imbibed from his parents an ardent admiration for the beautiful, in the productions both 

 of nature and of art, and a strong predilection for the pleasing investigations of botanical 

 science. 



In his character was found a rare combination of admirable qualities. To the gentle- 

 ness and simplicity of childhood, were united the courage and independence of manhood, 

 and the principles and sentiments of the gentleman. His attainments in science and 

 scholarship were not less conspicuous than his piety, always endeavoring, in his instruc- 

 tions, to lead the youthful mind "from nature up to nature's God." 



A friend who enjoyed ample opportunity of observing his character, bears the following 

 honorable testimony to his worth : 



" His great amount of knowledge in various branches of scholastic learning, his remark- 



